Increased frequencies of activating natural killer receptors are associated with liver injury in individuals who do not eliminate hepatitis C virus.
This study was designed to investigate the role of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes in the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In patients who cleared the virus (HCV RNA-) we found a decrease of 2DL2 (P= 0.04), and 2DS2 (P= 0.014) accompanied by an increase of 2DS5 (P= 0.04). Those RNA+ patients with elevated levels of hepatic transaminases (HCV RNA+ elevated alanine aminotransferase) showed an increased frequency of 2DS3 (P= 0.018). Additionally, in cirrhotic patients we found an increased frequency of individuals having two copies of 3DS1 and HLA-Bw4 (P= 0.016). We conclude that higher natural killer cytotoxicity might be associated with a worse progression of the HCV infection.
Paladino
N
N
División Inmunogenética, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Bueno Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Flores
A C
AC
Marcos
C Y
CY
Fainboim
H
H
Theiler
G
G
Arruvito
L
L
Williams
F
F
Middleton
D
D
Fainboim
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D054349:Receptors, KIR3DS1
D015235:HLA-B Antigens; C042388:HLA-Bw4 antigen; C433932:KIR2DS2 protein, human; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D054349:Receptors, KIR3DS1; D000410:Alanine Transaminase