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

• DOI: 10.1111/tan.13645
• Publication Date: 2019-07-30T15:44:45Z
• Authors: Ivana Kovacevic V...; Marija Burek Kame...; Vanja Ivkovic; Stela Bulimbasic; Ivana Marekovic; Marijana Coric; Zrinka Bosnjak; Zorana Grubic; Renata Zunec
• Keywords: Adult; Male; BK virus ; kidney transplantation ; KIR genes; Graft vs Host Disease; HLA-C Antigens; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Receptors, KIR; Transplantation Immunology; Humans; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Aged; Retrospective Studies; Polyomavirus Infections; Middle Aged; Kidney Transplantation; Tissue Donors; Transplant Recipients; 3. Good health; Haplotypes; BK Virus; Case-Control Studies; Female; Kidney Diseases

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.