A family of receptors found on NK CELLS that have specificity for a variety of HLA ANTIGENS. KIR receptors contain up to three different extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains referred to as D0, D1, and D2 and play an important role in blocking NK cell activation against cells expressing the appropriate HLA antigens thus preventing cell lysis. Although they are often referred to as being inhibitory receptors, a subset of KIR receptors may also play an activating role in NK cells.
Also Known As:
Receptors, KIR; KIR Receptor; Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor; Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors; Killer Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor; Killer Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor (KIR) Family of Receptors; Killer Inhibitory Receptor; Receptor, Killer Inhibitory; Receptor, p58 NK Cell; p58 NK Cell Inhibitory Receptor; p58 NK Cell Receptor; p58 NK Cell Receptors; p58 Natural Killer Cell Receptor; Family Receptors, KIR; Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor, Killer; Inhibitory Receptor, Killer; Inhibitory Receptors, Killer; Killer Cell Immunoglobulin Like Receptor; Killer Cell Immunoglobulin Like Receptors; Killer Immunoglobulin Like Receptor; Receptor, KIR; Receptor, Killer Immunoglobulin-Like; Receptors, KIR Family; Receptors, Killer Inhibitory; KIR Family Receptors; Killer Inhibitory Receptors