97-P : KIR HAPLOTYPE AND GENOTYPE DISTRIBUTION IN HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT DONORS IN PANAMA

Aim Published reports have described KIR gene frequency distributions in more than 120 populations. Besides the classical HLA matching, KIR genes form an independent diverse immunogenetic system that implicated in influencing the clinical outcomes of allogeneic HSCT. KIRs are NK cell surface protein, and are encoded by the Leukocyte Receptor Complex (LCR) on chromosome 19 (19q13.4) and expressed on NK cell and subset of T cells. They play important role in the prevention of autoreactivity and elimination of viral-infected cells, tumor cells and anti-leukemia effect. The Aim of this study is to study the distribution of KIR gene polymorphisms in the Panamanian population for future consideration of incorporation in our Laboratory evaluation of donors as an additional selection criterion. Methods Stored genomic DNA (86 oC) of a total of 84 hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) donors evaluated between 2000-2012, from Instituto Oncologico, Hospital del Nino, Complejo Metropolitano of Panama, were tested for KIR genotyping using LIFECODES KIR TYPING KIT (Gen-Probe) and PCR-SSO. Results 22 patients (26%) were homozygous for haplotype A whereas 62 patients had at least one haplotype B (Bx, 74%). The most frequently seen KIR genotypes in Bx haplotypes in this cohort are: 3DL3, 2DL3, DL5, 2DS5, 2DP1, 2DL1, 3DP1, 2DL4, 3DL1, 3DS1, 2DS1, 2DS4, 3DL2 (13 patients, 15%); 3DL3, 2DS2; 2DL2, 2DL3, 2DL5, 2DS5, 2DP1, 2DL1, 3DP1, 2DL4, 3DL1, 3DS1, 2DS1, 2DS4, 3DL2 (6 patients, 7%); 3DL3, 2DS2, 2DL2, 2DL3, 2DL5, 2DS3, 2DP1, 2DL1, 3DP1, 2DL4, 3DL1 (6 patients, 7%). Conclusions This is the first report to describe KIR haplotypes and genotypes in the Panamanian population.