title: KIRs and their HLA ligands in remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) genes may affect both resistance and susceptibility to autoimmune disorders, but their role in the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is still unclear. To evaluate the involvement of KIRs and their HLA ligands in the development of MS we performed genotyping of HLA -A, -B, -Cw, -DRB1 and KIRs loci in 121 RRMS patients and 103 healthy controls (HC). Results evidenced a possible protective role of the activating KIR2DS1 gene (p(y)=0.001; OR:0.38), enhanced in the presence of its ligand group HLA-C2 (p(y)=0.0001; OR:0.23). Our data suggest that the presence of functional compounds of activating KIR receptors together with their HLA ligands, allowing the immunomodulatory function of NK cells, may have a protective role against the disease.
authors.affiliation: Immunohematology and Transfusion Service, AORN A. Cardarelli, Naples, Italy. hla.cardarelli@libero.it
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fusco
authors.forename: Franca Rosa
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Guerini
authors.forename: Giustina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nocera
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ventrella
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: Maria Antonietta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Valentino
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agliardi
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gallotti
authors.forename: Vincenzo Brescia
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Morra
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lombardi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; C496212:KIR2DS1 protein, human; D008024:Ligands; D054340:Receptors, KIR