HLA-C and KIR genes in hepatitis C virus infection.
Natural killer (NK) cells are key components of the innate antiviral immune response. NK cell function is regulated by the interaction of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules with NK inhibitory receptors. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the HLA-C/KIR pair in hepatitis C virus clearance in our population. A total of 196 hepatitis C virus-infected patients (65 resolved and 131 with persistent infection) were included in the study. Genotyping of HLA-C was carried out using polymerase chain reaction followed by a reverse sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe detection system. NK receptor-specific polymerase chain reaction typing of KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, and KIR2DL3 was performed on the same patient group. Frequencies of the KIR2DL2 gene and the KIR2DL2/KIR2DL2 genotype were lower among patients with persistent infection (32.3% vs 45.4% among resolved, P = 0.01, OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.36-0.91; and 16.2% vs 32.3% among resolved, P = 0.02, OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.19-0.87). Nevertheless, the frequency of the KIR2DL3 gene was higher among patients with persistent infection (66.9% vs 54.6% among resolved P = 0.02, OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.07-2.65). Trends toward lower frequencies of the HLA-C2C2 genotype and NK-HLA interactions with strong and moderate affinity among the patients with persistent infection were also observed.
Montes-Cano
Marco Antonio
MA
Servicio de Inmunología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain.
Caro-Oleas
José Luis
JL
Romero-Gómez
Manuel
M
Diago
Moisés
M
Andrade
Raul
R
Carmona
Isabel
I
Aguilar Reina
José
J
Núñez-Roldán
Antonio
A
González-Escribano
María Francisca
MF
D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D054342:Receptors, KIR2DL1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054343:Receptors, KIR2DL2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054344:Receptors, KIR2DL3 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019562:Viral Load
D015236:HLA-C Antigens; C093100:KIR2DL1 protein, human; C515077:KIR2DL2 protein, human; C515078:KIR2DL3 protein, human; D008024:Ligands; D054342:Receptors, KIR2DL1; D054343:Receptors, KIR2DL2; D054344:Receptors, KIR2DL3