KIR-HLA intercourse in HIV disease.
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I loci are essential to an effective immune response against a wide variety of pathogenic microorganisms, and they represent the prototypes for genetic polymorphism that are sustained through balancing selection. The functional significance of HLA class I variation is better exemplified by studies involving HIV type 1 (HIV-1) than any other infectious organism. HLA class I molecules are essential to the acquired immune response, but they are also important in innate immunity as ligands for the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR), which modulate natural killer cell activity. Here we concentrate on the interaction between the HLA-B and KIR3DL1/KIR3DS1 genes, describe the effects of these loci on HIV disease, and discuss questions that remain unresolved.
Carrington
Mary
M
Cancer and Inflammation Program, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA. carringt@ncifcrf.gov
Martin
Maureen P
MP
van Bergen
Jeroen
J
D018450:Disease Progression; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000378:metabolism*; D054341:Receptors, KIR3DL1 / Q000378:metabolism; D054349:Receptors, KIR3DS1 / Q000378:metabolism
D006680:HLA Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D054341:Receptors, KIR3DL1; D054349:Receptors, KIR3DS1