HLA-G and its ligand KIR2DL4 in renal transplant patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Genotype and expression of HLA-G and its ligand KIR2DL4 in renal transplant patients in relation to cytomegalovirus infection and rejection
IRAS ID
172089
Contact name
Stephen Christmas
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a type of herpes virus which infects the majority of the population during childhood. This is normally handled by the immune response and, apart from a slight fever, there are rarely any serious symptoms and the virus remains latent for life. However, in kidney transplant patients, who are given immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection, the associated reduction in immune response may lead to reactivation of latent virus with serious consequences. Patients who are CMV negative and given a transplant from a CMV positive donor, are at higher risk as they lack a pre-existing immune response to CMV.
In order to survive in a latent state in its human host, CMV has many genes whose function is to suppress the immune response. There is some evidence that CMV can switch on a human gene called HLA-G, related to the well-known ‘tissue type’ genes which govern kidney transplant rejection. HLA-G can then switch off the host’s immune response, preventing virus elimination. The HLA-G gene occurs in two different forms, ‘14bp inserted or deleted’. The 14bp deleted form leads to higher levels of HLA-G and may give better protection for the virus.
In a previous application, we proposed to analyse the HLA-G genotype in DNA and serum from kidney transplant patients. In order to extend these findings, we now propose to investigate expression of both HLA-G and its ligand, the Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) known as KIR2DL4, on white blood cells from renal transplant patients at the protein level. This will provide information on immune responsiveness to CMV and whether it is useful to test for KIR2DL4 genotype as well as HLA-G type of transplant recipients and donors to reduce their chances of CMV infection or rejection.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0351
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion