Evaluation of KIR genes in recurrent miscarriage.
OBJECTIVE
Natural killer (NK) cells express killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) which recognize HLA class I molecules on trophoblasts. KIRs could either activate NK cells or inhibit them to produce soluble factors necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy, thus they are suspected of being involved in the causes of recurrent miscarriage. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is any possible association between KIR genes, genotypes and recurrent miscarriage.


METHODS
The present study was carried out on 40 women who had unexplained recurrent miscarriage and 90 controls. Sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes analysis were used to investigate 16 KIR genes. All data were statistically analyzed by Fisher Exact Test.


RESULTS
The rate of Bx genotypes that consists elevated number of activating KIR genes was significantly higher (p = 0.014) in women with recurrent miscarriage when compared with the control group. Additionally, the frequency of AA genotype (AA1) of the subjects in the study group was significantly lower than the frequency of the subjects in the control group (p = 0,014). Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in the frequencies of the individual KIR genes between women with recurrent miscarriage and the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Inclined balance of KIRs toward an activating state in NK cells may contribute to recurrent miscarriage.
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. ozlem_goruroglu@yahoo.com
Ozlem Goruroglu
OG
Ozturk
Gulhan
G
Sahın
Esin Damla Zıyanoglu
ED
Karacor
Umran
U
Kucukgoz
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000235:genetics*; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology*; D005810:Multigene Family; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011544:Pseudogenes; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000235:genetics*
D054340:Receptors, KIR