OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of DNA methods to provide a means to precisely genotypically match donor blood units for the antigen-negative type of 35 sickle cell disease patients<. METHODS: Red blood cell units were investigated for ABO, D, C, c, E, e, K, Fyª, Fy b, Jkª, Jk b, S, s, Diª and RH variants by performing a molecular array (Human Erythrocyte Antigen BeadChipTM, BioArray Solutions), polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequencing of patient samples and donor units that had been serologically matched based on the ABO, Rh and K phenotypes and the presence of antibodies. RESULTS: Matches for 21 of 35 sickle cell disease patients presented discrepancies or mismatches for multiple antigens between the genotype profile and the antigen profile of their serologically-matched blood units. The main discrepancies or mismatches occurred in the RH, FY, JK and MNS systems. Eight Rh alloimmunized patients presented RHD and RHCE variants that had not been serologically identified. According to these results better matches were found for the patients with genotyped units and the patients benefited as shown by better in vivo red blood cell survival. CONCLUSION: Molecular matching is superior to serological matching in sickle cell disease patients, decreasing the risk of transfusion reactions, especially delayed transfusion reactions to existing alloantibodies and preventing alloimmunization.

BACKGROUND: Red blood group genes are highly polymorphic and the distribution of alleles varies among different populations and ethnic groups. AIM: To evaluate allele polymorphisms of the Rh, Kell, Duffy and Kidd blood group systems in a population of the State of Paraná METHODS: Rh, Kell, Duffy and Kidd blood group polymorphisms were evaluated in 400 unrelated blood or bone marrow donors from the northwestern region of Paraná State between September 2008 and October 2009. The following techniques were used: multiplex-polymerase chain reaction genotyping for the identification of the RHD gene and RHCE*C/c genotype; allele-specific polymerase chain reaction for the RHDΨ and restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction for the RHCE*E/e, KEL, FY-GATA and JK alleles. RESULTS: These techniques enabled the evaluation of the frequencies of Rh, Kell, Duffy and Kidd polymorphisms in the population studied, which were compared to frequencies in two populations from the eastern region of São Paulo State. CONCLUSION: The RHCE*c/c, FY*A/FY*B, GATA-33 T/T, JK*B/JK*B genotypes were more prevalent in the population from Paraná, while RHCE*C/c, FY*B/FY*B, GATA-33 C/C, JK*A/JK*B genotypes were more common in the populations from São Paulo.

Receptores killer cell immunoglobulin-like (KIRs) são moléculas localizadas na superfície de células natural killer (NK) e em subpopulações de linfócitos T codificadas por genes do cromossomo 19q13.4. A interação entre receptores KIR e moléculas antígeno leucocitário humano (HLA) de classe I determina se células NK exercerão ou não sua função citotóxica e/ou secretora de citocinas ou se esta será inibida. Este trabalho teve por finalidade otimizar a metodologia para a genotipagem KIR, baseando-se nas condições descritas por Martin (2004). A técnica utilizada foi a reação em cadeia da polimerase com primers de sequência específica (PCR-SSP) com iniciadores sintetizados pela Invitrogen® e visualização do produto amplificado em gel de agarose a 2% com brometo de etídio. Adaptações foram realizadas e a concentração de alguns reagentes foi alterada, como a do controle interno de 100 nM para 150 nM, iniciadores específicos senso e antissenso de KIR12.5/12.3, KIR13.5/13.3, KIR14.5/14.3, KIR22.5/22.3 e KIR36.5/36.3 de 500 nM para 750 nM e da solução de MgCl2 de 1,5 mM para 2 mM. As concentrações dos demais reagentes e temperaturas de amplificação foram mantidas. Nessas condições, o uso da Taq DNA polimerase recombinante (Invitrogen®) foi satisfatório. Os resultados das genotipagens de 70 indivíduos foram confirmados por rSSO-Luminex® (One Lambda, Canoga Park, CA, EUA). A tipagem de genes KIR por essa técnica apresentou sensibilidade, especificidade, reprodutibilidade e baixo custo.

The killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are molecules expressed on natural killer (NK) cells surface and in T-cell subsets encoded by genes located in chromosome 19q13.4. The interaction between KIR receptors and HLA class I molecules determines if the NK cells will fulfill their cytotoxic function and/or cytokine secretion or if this function will be inhibited. The objective of this work was to optimize KIR genotyping method described by Martin (2004). It was used PCR-SSP (polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers) with primers synthesized by Invitrogen® and visualization of the amplified products on 2% agarose gel electrophoresis, containing ethidium bromide. Some adaptations were made and the reagents had their concentrations increased: the internal control from 100 nM to 150 nM, forward and reverse specific primers KIR12.5/12.3, KIR13.5/13.3, KIR14.5/14.3, KIR22.5/22.3 and KIR36.5/36.3 from 500 nM to 750 nM, and MgCl2 solution from 1.5 mM to 2 mM. Other reagent concentrations and amplification temperatures were maintained. Satisfactory results were obtained with Taq DNA Polymerase Recombinant (Invitrogen®). The results of seventy samples were confirmed by rSSO-Luminex® (One Lambda, Canoga Park, CA, USA). This KIR typing method proved to be accurate, specific, reproducible and cost effective.

NKC (natural killer cells) are a population of lymphocytes that play an essential role in innate immunity. KIR molecules are receptors expressed on the surface of these cells with an inhibitory or activating function that contributes to the regulation of NK cells. The KIR genes are located on chromosome 19q13 at the Leukocyte Receptor Complex, and exhibit high polymorphism. The KIR ligands are HLA class I molecules. NK cell functions are related to the variation of the expression of these molecules on the surface of the target cells - especially infected, allogeneic and tumor cells. The aim of this work was to make a review about KIR receptors. The Pubmed/medline and ScienceDirect online databases were accessed, using receptor, NK and KIR as keywords. KIR molecular structure, nomenclature and classification, gene diversity, allelic and haplotypic variability and its ligands were described. Regulation of KIR genes expression and NK cell function were also presented.

Las células NK (natural killer) son una subpoblación de linfocitos que desempeñan una función esencial en la respuesta inmune innata. Las moléculas KIR (killer immunoglobulin-like receptor) son receptores expresos en la superficie de esas células con función inhibidora o activadora y contribuyen para la regulación de la función de las células NK. Los genes KIR hacen parte del Complejo de Receptores Leucocitarios, localizado en el cromosoma 19q13 y presentan alto polimorfismo. Los ligantes de KIR son moléculas HLA de clase I, y la regulación de las células NK está relacionada a la variación de la expresión de esas moléculas en la superficie de las células blanco, principalmente células infectadas, tumorosos y alogénicas. El objetivo de ese trabajo fue proceder una revisión bibliográfica sobre los receptores KIR. La pesquisa fue realizada en los sites Pubmed/medline y ScienceDirect, y fueron utilizadas como palabras clave receptor, NK y KIR. La estructura molecular de esos receptores, la nomenclatura y clasificación de KIR, la variabilidad génica, alélica y haplotípica y los ligantes fueron presentados. Énfasis fue dada a la regulación de la expresión de los genes KIR y su relación con la función de las células NK.

As células NK (natural killer) são uma subpopulação de linfócitos que desempenham função essencial na resposta imune inata. As moléculas KIR (killer immunoglobulin-like receptor) são receptores expressos na superfície dessas células com função inibitória ou ativatória e contribuem para a regulação da função das células NK. Os genes KIRfazem parte do Complexo de Receptores Leucocitários, localizado no cromossomo 19q13 e apresentam alto polimorfismo. Os ligantes de KIR são moléculas HLA de classe I, e a regulação das células NK está relacionada à variação da expressão dessas moléculas na superfície das células-alvo, principalmente células infectadas, tumorais e alogênicas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi proceder a uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os receptores KIR. O levantamento foi realizado nos sites Pubmed/medline e ScienceDirect, e foram utilizadas como palavras-chave receptor, NK e KIR. A estrutura molecular desses receptores, a nomenclatura e classificação de KIR, a variabilidade gênica, alélica e haplotípica e os ligantes foram apresentados. Ênfase foi dada à regulação da expressão dos genes KIR e sua relação com a função das células NK.