title: No impact of KIR-ligand mismatch on allograft outcome in HLA-compatible kidney transplantation.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cell function can be modulated by the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) which interact with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules on target cells. KIR-ligand mismatching has recently been shown by van Bergen et al. (American Journal of Transplantation 2011; 11(9): 1959-1964) to be a significant risk factor for long-term graft loss in HLA-A, -B and -DR compatible kidney transplants. To verify this potentially important finding, we performed genotyping of 608 deceased-donor kidney graft recipients and their HLA-A, -B and -DR compatible donors for KIR and HLA, using samples and clinical data provided by the Collaborative Transplant Study. Graft survival of KIR-ligand-matched and -mismatched transplants was compared. We found no impact of KIR-ligand mismatching on 10-year graft survival in HLA-A, -B, -DR compatible kidney transplants. Further analysis did not reveal a significant effect of recipient activating/inhibitory KIR or KIR genotypes on graft survival. Our data do not support the concept that KIR-HLA matching might serve as a tool to improve long-term renal allograft survival.
authors: Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: T H
authors: TH
authors: Tran
authors: Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Unterrainer
authors: Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Fiedler
authors: Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Döhler
authors: Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Scherer
authors: Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ruhenstroth
authors: Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Adamek
authors: Transplant Immunology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Middleton
authors: Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Opelz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006085:Graft Survival; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000378:metabolism*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008024:Ligands; D054340:Receptors, KIR