title: Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes and ligands and their role in hematologic malignancies.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells are considered crucial for the elimination of emerging tumor cells. Effector NK-cell functions are controlled by interactions of inhibitory and activating killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) on NK cells with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I ligands on target cells. KIR and HLA are highly polymorphic genetic systems segregating independently, creating a great diversity in KIR/HLA gene profiles in different individuals. There is an increasing evidence supporting the relevance of KIR and HLA ligand gene background for the occurrence and outcome of certain cancers. However, the data are still controversial and the mechanisms of receptor-ligand mediated NK-cell action remain unclear. Here, the main characteristics and functions of KIRs and their HLA class I ligands are reviewed. In addition, we review the HLA and KIR correlations with different hematological malignancies and discuss our current understanding of the biological significance and mechanisms underlying these associations.
authors.affiliation: National Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Haematological Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Viktoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Varbanova
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology and Stem Cell Bank, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Medical University, 1, Georgi Sofiiski Str., 1431, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Elissaveta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Naumova
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology and Stem Cell Bank, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Medical University, 1, Georgi Sofiiski Str., 1431, Sofia, Bulgaria. mihaylova_ap@abv.bg.
authors.forename: Anastasiya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mihaylova
mesh_terms: D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D018448:Models, Immunological; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000276:immunology; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D008024:Ligands; D054340:Receptors, KIR
keywords: HLA ligands; Hematological malignancies; Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors; NK cells