An overview of methods required to evaluate donor NK cell alloreactivity for haploidentical haemopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Donor-vs.-recipient NK cell alloreactivity has been established as a key therapeutic element in HLA haplotypemismatched hematopoietic transplants in acute myeloid leukemia. NK cell allotherapy for leukemia is deployed through stem cell transplantation and ensuing NK cell reconstitution across KIR ligand mismatches. It is effected by functional NK cells which express inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor(s) (KIRs) for self-class I ligand(s), sense missing expression of donor KIR ligand(s) in the recipient, and mediate alloreactions. Donor-vs.-recipient NK cell alloreactivity is evaluated by integrating genetic, phenotypic, and functional features.
Division of Haematology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia, Perugia, Italy. velardi@unipg.it
Andrea
A
Velardi
D006239:Haplotypes; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000235:genetics; D014181:Transplantation Immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D054340:Receptors, KIR