Genetic features of the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors in the haematopoietic stem cell donors

The aim of this study was to determine genetic features of the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors of donors from Republican Register
haematopoietic stem cells donors of the Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology (St.-Petersburg). KIR is a recently discovered high polymorphic second immunogenetic system that interacts with class I human leukocyte antigen molecules and plays a crucial role in the control of natural killer cell cytolytic activity. Donor KIR genotype affects outcome of unrelated donor transplantation. The frequency of KIR genes and genotypes in donors of Northwest region of Russia shares several general features with other Caucasoid populations, with the exception of some B haplotype associated activating KIR genes (KIR2DS5). Significant differences were observed as compared to Asian populations. The frequency of the B haplotype associated inhibitory (KIR2DL2) and activating (KIR2DS2, KIR2DS3) genes were significantly higher as compared to the populations of Japan, China and South Korea.
The frequency of the «best» donor B content group, that improves clinical outcomes after unrelated donor transplantation, was higher in the population under the study as compared to other populations. These differences were significant as compared to Asian populations. The results of the present study can be used to selection of donors with the favorable KIR types in order to improve therapeutic effect of transplantation, as well as to optimize database of the Republican Register of hematopoietic stem cells donors.

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