title: Analysis of KIR genes in HLA-identical sibling hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Thai patients with leukemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are members of a group of regulatory molecules found on the natural killer (NK) cells that regulate NK cells function by interacting with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules or ligands. The effects of KIR genes on the outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are still controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the distribution of KIR genes in HLA-identical sibling and the effect of KIR genes on the outcome of HSCT.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study included 74 patients and their HLA-identical sibling donors. KIR genes and HLA ligands typing were determined by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP). A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the outcomes of the recipients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no effect of KIR gene mismatch and missing ligand on the outcome regarding graft-versus host disease (GVHD), relapse, and overall survival (OS) (p > 0.05). However the presence of donor activating KIR2DS5 was associated with decreased aGVHD (p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest an important role of donor activating KIR in identical sibling HSCT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Natta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wongwuttisaroj
authors.forename: Sasijit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vejbaesya
authors.forename: Viroje
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chongkolwatana
authors.forename: Surapol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Issaragrisil
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000235:genetics*; D035781:Siblings; D015996:Survival Rate; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D054340:Receptors, KIR