title: Protective effect of the HLA-Bw4I80 epitope and the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 3DS1 gene against the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate, in 152 Spanish patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), the possibility that killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) influence progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. KIRs are related to the activation and inhibition of natural killer cells and may play an important role in the innate response against infection with such viruses as HCV. We found that the human leukocyte antigen-Bw4I80 epitope and the KIR3DS1 gene were more frequent in HCV carriers than in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, these associations were not independent of each other--the KIR3DS1/Bw4I80 genotype clearly was also more frequent in HCV carriers (odds ratio, 24.22).
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Vázquez
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martínez-Borra
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Juan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fdez-Morera
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Rodero
authors.forename: Segundo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gonzáez
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: López-Larrea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D054349:Receptors, KIR3DS1
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; C042388:HLA-Bw4 antigen; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D054349:Receptors, KIR3DS1