The killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a recently discovered family of activating and inhibitory receptors that control natural killer (NK) cell function.

KIRs exist as a diverse family of receptors that have evolved rapidly by both gene duplication and recombination events.

These findings were unexpected for a family of genes involved primarily in the innate immune response.

These findings together with the observation that several of these genes have human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I ligands, have led to a flurry of investigation into how KIR participate in viral infections, autoimmune diseases and malignancies.

See also

 innate immune response

References

 Williams AP, Bateman AR, Khakoo SI. Hanging in the balance. KIR and their role in disease. Mol Interv. 2005 Aug;5(4):226-40. PMID: #16123537#