Immunogenetics of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors

摘要: The killer cell immunoglobulin receptor locus (KIR) on human chromosome 19 encodes activating and inhibitory receptors that are expressed principally by NK cells but also subpopulations of T cells. For some the KIR ligands known to be MHC class I molecules, for others elusive. In humans is highly diverse. haplotypes differ in gene content individual genes exhibit allelic polymorphism; these two components work together diversify haplotypes, which pairwise combination genotypes. divergence between different populations, as well closely related hominoid species, seem likely products balancing directional selection upon functions KIR-expressing lymphocytes. Consistent with this model results several studies associating differences disease susceptibility, immune responsiveness events following allogeneic transplantation.