title: Mind the gap: lack of association between KIR3DL1*004/HLA‐Bw4-induced natural killer cell function and protection from HIV infection.
abstract: Several combinations of genes encoding KIR3DL1 alleles and their HLA‐Bw4 ligands have been linked with favorable outcomes upon exposure to or infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Some protective KIR3DL1/HLA‐Bw4 combinations confer elevated natural killer (NK) cell functional potential. The K562‐stimulated functionality of NK cells from KIR3DL1*004/HLA‐Bw4 and control genotype carriers was assessed by flow cytometry and found to be higher in KIR3DL1*004/HLA‐Bw4 carriers. However, a comparison of the frequency of this combined genotype among HIV‐exposed uninfected and HIV‐infected subjects revealed no between‐group differences. Thus, despite its ability to license NK cells, KIR3DL1*004/HLA‐Bw4 is not associated with a reduced risk of infection.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Salix
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boulet
authors.forename: Rujun
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bruneau
authors.forename: Naglaa H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Shoukry
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Routy
authors.forename: Christos M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Tsoukas
authors.forename: Nicole F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Bernard
mesh_terms: D005787:Gene Frequency; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D054341:Receptors, KIR3DL1 / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015235:HLA-B Antigens; C042388:HLA-Bw4 antigen; C515083:KIR3DL1 protein, human; D054341:Receptors, KIR3DL1