A novel real-time PCR method for KIR genotyping

Genes encoding killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are variable among individuals. Sequence-specific primer-directed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification (PCR-SSP) and sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridization of the PCR-amplified products (PCR-SSO) are the methods currently used to characterize the diversity of KIR gene content. Both these methods include time-consuming post-PCR analyses. Here, we developed a real-time PCR method that identifies the presence or absence of 16 KIR genes during PCR and avoids post-PCR analyses. This method is specific, sensitive, shortens the turnaround time compared with the conventional PCR-SSP and PCR-SSO methods, and it can be easily adapted for automation.