title: Distribution of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes in Thai blood donors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Killer cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIRs) are members of a group of molecules expressed on the surfaces of natural killer (NK) cells and some T cells. KIRs recognize MHC class I molecules on target cells. The interaction of these molecules regulates NK cell reactivity. The KIR gene cluster is highly polymorphic in individuals and different populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Determine the frequencies and diversities of KIR genes among the Thai population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen KIR genes and common subtypes were identified in 500 healthy Thai blood donors by PCR-SSP. The framework genes KIR2DL4, KIR3DL2, KIR3DL3, and KIR3DP1 were present in all individuals (100%). The observed frequencies of KIR genes vary in the presented population. The most frequent non-framework KIR gene was KIR2DLI (98.4%) while the least frequent was KIR2DL5B (24.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was observed that the Thai population shows polymorphism of the KIR genes and the diversities of KIR genes in Thai differed from other populations. These data might be of benefit to future studies of the KIR gene and its association with diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chutima
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tammakorn
authors.forename: Tasanee
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mongkolsuk
authors.forename: Duangtawan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thammanichanond
authors.forename: Samart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pakakasama
authors.forename: Pimpun
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kitpoka
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D001782:Blood Donors; D005787:Gene Frequency; D015894:Genome, Human; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000276:immunology; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D017421:Sequence Analysis
chemical_list: D054340:Receptors, KIR