Polymorphisms of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor gene: possible association with susceptibility to or clearance of hepatitis B virus infection in Chinese Han population.
OBJECTIVE
To explore whether killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) gene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or HBV clearance.


METHODS
Fifteen known KIR genes were determined in 150 chronic hepatitis B patients, 251 spontaneously recovered controls, and 412 healthy controls by the sequence specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) method. KIR genotype frequency (gf) differences were tested for significance by two-tailed Fisher exact test or chi(2) test. Multifactorial analysis was also performed by logistic analysis (the SAS system).


RESULTS
Framework genes KIR2DL4, KIR3DL2, KIR3DL3, and KIRZ were present in all individuals. The frequencies of KIR2DS2 and KIR2DS3 were higher in chronic hepatitis B patients, than in both healthy and spontaneously recovered controls. The frequencies of activating KIR2DS1, KIR3DS1, and the inhibitory KIR2DL5 were higher in spontaneously recovered controls than in chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy controls.


CONCLUSIONS
KIR polymorphisms may be associated with susceptibility to HBV infection or HBV clearance. It could be suggested that KIR2DS2 and KIR2DS3 were HBV-susceptive genes, which induced a persistent yet weak inflammatory reaction that resulted in continuous injury of live tissues and chronic hepatitis. KIR2DS1, KIR3DS1, and KIR2DL5, on the other hand, may be protective genes that facilitated the clearance of HBV.
Zhi-ming
Lu
L
Department of Center Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, 324 Jing Wu Rd 250021 Jinan, China.
Yu-lian
Jiao
J
Zhao-lei
Feng
F
Chun-xiao
Wu
W
Zhen-fang
Dong
D
Bing-chang
Zhang
Z
Yue-ran
Zhao
Z
D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D054345:Receptors, KIR2DL4; D054346:Receptors, KIR2DL5; D054347:Receptors, KIR3DL2; D054349:Receptors, KIR3DS1
D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D054345:Receptors, KIR2DL4; D054346:Receptors, KIR2DL5; D054347:Receptors, KIR3DL2; D054349:Receptors, KIR3DS1