title: Importance of killer immunoglobulin-like receptors in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the treatment of choice for many hematologic diseases, such as multiple myeloma, bone marrow aplasia and leukemia. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility is an important tool to prevent post-transplant complications such as graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease, but the high rates of relapse limit the survival of transplant patients. Natural Killer cells, a type of lymphocyte that is a key element in the defense against tumor cells, cells infected with viruses and intracellular microbes, have different receptors on their surfaces that regulate their cytotoxicity. Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors are the most important, interacting consistently with human leukocyte antigen class I molecules present in other cells and thus controlling the activation of natural killer cells. Several studies have shown that certain combinations of killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and human leukocyte antigens (in both donors and recipients) can affect the chances of survival of transplant patients, particularly in relation to the graft-versusleukemia effect, which may be associated to decreased relapse rates in certain groups. This review aims to shed light on the mechanisms and effects of killer immunoglobulin-like receptors - human leukocyte antigen associations and their implications following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and to critically analyze the results obtained by the studies presented herein.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Analysis Department, Universidade Estadual de Maringá - UEM, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danilo Santana Alessio
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Franceschi
authors.forename: Cármino Antonio
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Francisco José Penteado
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Aranha
authors.forename: Daniela Maira
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cardozo
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sell
authors.forename: Jeane Eliete Laguila
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Visentainer
keywords: Graft vs host disease; HLA antigens; Hematopoietic stem cell/transplantation; Histocompatibility testing; Killer cells, natural; Receptor KIR/immunology;