Analysis of the expression of KIR and HLA-Cw in a Northeast Han population

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-Cw and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes in a Jilin Han population and to provide a theoretical basis for further studies of their roles in disease. A total of 154 unpaid Jilin Han blood donors were selected and KIR and HLA-Cw genotyping was performed using PCR-SSP. Recognition of HLA-Cw and the corresponding activatory or inhibitory KIR receptor was distinguished according to the identification of HLA-Cw and KIR. In the present study, the expression frequency of HLA-C2(Lys80)+2DL1 was 27.27%, HLA-C1(Asn80)+2DL2/2DL3 was 68.83%, 2DS2+HLA-C1(Asn80) was 9.74% and 2DS1+HLA-C2(Lys80) was 9.74%. Of the individuals in the study, 72.08% expressed only KIR2DL1 without HLA-Cw, 21.43% expressed only KIR2DS1 without HLA-Cw(Lys)-KIR2DL1 and 2.60% expressed only KIR2DS2 without HLA-Cw(Asn)-KIR2DL2/L3. In conclusion, the expression of inhibitory HLA-Cw-KIR is higher than the expression of activating HLA-Cw-KIR and approximately 20% of the individuals separately expressed the activated HLA-Cw-KIR in the Jilin Han population in the present study.