Table 2.
Specificities and reported cross‐reaction of killer‐cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR) antibodies
| Clone | Specificity | Reported cross‐reaction and (comments) | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 143211 | KIR2DL1 | KIR2DS5 | 192 |
| HP‐3E4 | KIR2DL1 | KIR2DS1 and KIR2DS4 | 193 |
| EB6 | KIR2DL1, KIR2DS1 | KIR2DL3*005 | 187, 194, 195 |
| 11PB6 | KIR2DL1, KIR2DS1 | KIR2DL3*005 | 194 |
| HP‐MA4 | KIR2DL1, KIR2DS1 | KIR2DS3 and KIR2DS5 | 192, 193 |
| GL183 | KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3, KIR2DS2 | 196, 197, 198 | |
| DX27 | KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3, KIR2DS2 | 52 | |
| CH‐L | KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3, KIR2DS2 | 199 | |
| 180701 | KIR2DL3 | (Does not recognize KIR2DL3*005 and *015) | 187 |
| ECM41 | KIR2DL3 | (Does not recognize KIR2DL3*005 and *015) | 194 |
| UP‐R1 | KIR2DL5 | 200 | |
| 1F12 | KIR2DS2, KIR2DL3 | 201 | |
| 179315 | KIR2DS4 | 140 | |
| JJC11·6 | KIR2DS4 | KIR2DS3 | 192 |
| FES172 | KIR2DS4 | 202 | |
| DX9 | KIR3DL1 | 203 | |
| 5·133 | KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2 | All KIRs except KIR2DS1 and KIR2DS3 | 192 |
| Z27 | KIR3DL1, KIR3DS1 | 204, 205, 206 | |
| DX30 | KIR3DL1/KIR3DL2 | 207 | |
| DX31 | KIR3DL2 | 207 | |
| NKVFS1 | PanKIR2D | 208 |
Sequence homogeneity between KIR genes at the genomic level translates to high similarity between encoded protein products. As such, analysis of KIR expression is not trivial in primary cells because of the cross‐reaction of available antibodies, in particular between activating and inhibitory isoforms. This can lead to misinterpretation of cell‐staining results. These cross‐reactions must be taken into account when analysing KIR expression. Staining experiments can be supported with control stains, references, representative stains on relevant donors and precise descriptions of strategies for differential staining using sets of antibodies.