KIR genotypes

Darren

2 Posts
Reply Posted on: May 18, 2012 at 1:42pm
Hi Dr. Braverman - do you ever order KIR genotyping in addition to the full HLA haplotype? I am still sketchy on a lot of the details (makes for dense reading) but it seems that knowing what maternal KIR genotype is present would add significantly to the knowledge of the maternal and paternal HLA haplotype (particularly HLA-C). Although this is not a very standard lab test I'm guessing that it must be peformed to some extent in the transplant setting where they are concerned about gvhd.

Thanks!

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
RE: KIR genotypes Posted on: May 18, 2012 at 1:57pm
You are correct that KIR receptors are a very important test to have in conjuction with the HLA testing. It has not been available commercially in any US reproimmunology lab. But we will soon have the ability to test for KIR receptors(within the month) as we have started an association with a new laboratory (transplant) that will run them for us.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

Darren

2 Posts
Reply RE: KIR genotypes Posted on: May 18, 2012 at 2:44pm
Awesome, thanks so much for the quick reply!

That's why you're the best - always pushing the field forward. I guessed that you were probably working on it, and the timing is particularly good for us. My wife and I have a consult in a couple weeks and we would be happy to be the guinea pigs on this - there's some kind of "guinea pig discount" right? :-) My wife has Crohn's which can be associated with certain HLA-C/KIR combinations so this may be particularly relevant for us.

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
RE: KIR genotypes Posted on: May 18, 2012 at 6:54pm
Look forward to working with you, and yes many of the etiologies of Crohns are the same issues with immune rejection of pregnancies. As in Crohns it is the HLA C interaction wtih the NK cell KIR that deactivates it. Although not always leading to complete failure to concieve these HLA C/KIR mismatches lead to anywhere in the spectrum including late first and even third trimester obstetrical complications.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.