Combined association of recipient killer cell immunoglobulin‐like haplotype AA and donor HLA‐C*07 gene with BK virus associated nephropathy in kidney transplant patients

Abstract

Kidney transplant recipient killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR) genotype and HLA‐C status of their donors have been separately associated with BK virus‐associated nephropathy (BKVAN) and BK virus infection. Our aim was to determine whether different combinations of recipients KIR genes and donor HLA‐C ligands influence the risk of BKVAN. Retrospective case‐control study included 23 recipients with BKVAN and 46 recipients with persistently negative BK virus. Donor HLA‐C*07 positivity was associated with lower odds for BKVAN, recipients bearing KIR haplotype AA or lacking any activating KIR genes were more frequent in BKVAN while recipient/donor combination HLA‐C*07 negative/KIR AA positive was significantly associated with BKVAN. Our study complements and confirms results from several previously published studies, suggesting potential clinical usefulness.

Association of KIR gene polymorphisms with COVID-19 disease

“…Because NK cells containing the homozygous KIR haplotype A express a phenotype mainly encoded by inhibitory KIRs, this KIR haplotype should be associated with less reactivity against donor cells recognized on lung allografts, and thus absence from Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), instead of the association found in the present study. The KIR AA genotype was found to be associated with BK virus associated nephropathy in kidney transplant patients [ 29 ].…”

BK Virus-Associated Nephropathy after Renal Transplantation

“…Deceased donor [21] BKV viruria [22] High BKV antibody titers [23,24] Female gender [21] Degree of HLA mismatches [21,25] Positivity of HLA A9 [26], G 3'UTR-4 [27] Negativity of HLA C7 [28,29] Recipient factors Older age [21] Male gender [21] ABO incompatibility [30] History of hemodialysis [31] Low BKV antibody titers [24] African American [32] Diabetes [21] Positivity of HLA A2 [26], G 3'UTR-4 [27] Negativity of HLA C7 [28], B51 [33] Transplant factors Acute rejection and antirejection treatment [25,34,35] Delayed graft function [36] Cold ischemia time [37] Steroid exposure [38] Tacrolimus levels [38] Tacrolimus and/or MMF-based maintenance immunosuppression [21,31,39] Ureteric stent replacement [40]…”