The number of activating KIR genes inversely correlates with the rate of CMV infection/reactivation in kidney transplant recipients

Viral infection is a common complication after kidney transplantation. The role of natural killer cells (NK cells) in this setting remains unknown. NK cells express activating and inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). We analyzed whether activating KIR genes carried by kidney transplant-recipients influence the rate of viral infection during the first year after transplantation. In patients with a KIR A/A genotype (n = 40, KIR2DS4 only activating KIR) the rate of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and reactivation was 36%, as compared to 20% in transplant recipients with more than one activating KIR gene (KIR B/X genotype, n = 82, p = 0.04). Adjusting for other risk factors in Cox regression, the relative risk of B versus A genotype patients was 0.34 (95% CI 0.15-0.76, p = 0.009). The degree of protection increased with the number of activating KIR genes. Symptomatic CMV disease was only observed in four individuals, all carrying a KIR A/A genotype. As for viral infections other than CMV, and for bacterial infections, no KIR-linked protective effect could be detected. Also, graft function and the rate-rejection episodes were similar in KIR A/A and KIR B/X genotype individuals. This study supports a role for activating KIR in the control of CMV infection after kidney transplantation.