T-CELLS EXPRESSING KILLER-CELL INHIBITORY RECEPTORS DO NOT CARRY TCR FOR ALLOANTIGENS

The role of T cells carrying the killer cell inhibitory receptor (KIR) is unknown. Here we investigate the allo-response of KIR(+)CD3(+) cel ls (KIR+ T cells). KIR+ T cells was found in 4.6-14.7% of the T cells from the PBMC of healthy individuals. Flow cytometry analysis showed t hat the percentage of KIR+ T cells in T cells From three individuals w as decreased after stimulation with allogeneic PBMC. These findings su ggest that KIR+ T cells do nor respond to alloantigens. Furthermore, t he analyses using purified KIR+ T cells also confirmed that KIR+ T cel ls do not respond to alloantigens. Human Immunology 59, 488-492 (1998) . (C) American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, 1998 . Published by Elsevier Science Inc.