NK cells expressing inhibitory KIR for non-self-ligands remain tolerant in HLA-matched sibling stem cell transplantation

Blood. 2010 Apr 1;115(13):2686-94. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-07-229740. Epub 2010 Jan 22.

Abstract

Natural killer (NK)-cell alloreactivity in recipients of hematopoietic stem cell grafts from HLA-identical siblings is intriguing and has suggested breaking of NK-cell tolerance during the posttransplantation period. To examine this possibility, we analyzed clinical outcomes in a cohort of 105 patients with myeloid malignancies who received T cell-replete grafts from HLA-matched sibling donors. Presence of inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) for nonself HLA class I ligands had no effect on disease-free survival, incidence of relapse, or graft-versus-host disease. A longitudinal analysis of the NK-cell repertoire and function revealed a global hyporesponsiveness of NK cells early after transplantation. Functional responses recovered at approximately 6 months after transplantation. Importantly, NKG2A(-) NK cells expressing KIRs for nonself HLA class I ligands remained tolerant at all time points. Furthermore, a direct comparison of NK-cell reconstitution in T cell-replete and T cell-depleted HLA-matched sibling stem cell transplantation (SCT) revealed that NKG2A(+) NK cells dominated the functional repertoire early after transplantation, with intact tolerance of NKG2A(-) NK cells expressing KIRs for nonself ligands in both settings. Our results provide evidence against the emergence of alloreactive NK cells in HLA-identical allogeneic SCT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / immunology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control
  • HLA Antigens / genetics
  • HLA Antigens / immunology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • K562 Cells / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / transplantation
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / immunology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / surgery
  • Living Donors*
  • Lymphocyte Depletion
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / immunology
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / surgery
  • Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Receptors, KIR / genetics
  • Receptors, KIR / immunology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Siblings
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • HLA Antigens
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Receptors, KIR