title: Association of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin- Like Receptor Genes in Iranian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by persistent synovitis, ultimately leading to cartilage and bone degeneration. Natural Killer cells and CD28 null T-cells are suspected as role players in RA pathogenesis. These cells are similar in feature and function, as they both exert their cytotoxic effect via Killer Cell Immunoglobulin- Like Receptors (KIR) on their surface. KIR genes have either an inhibitory or activating effect depending on their intracytoplasmic structure. Herein we genotyped 16 KIR genes, 3 pseudo genes and 6 HLA class І genes as their corresponding ligands in RA patients and control subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study, KIR and HLA genes were genotyped in 400 RA patients and 372 matched healthy controls using sequence-specific primers (SSP-PCR). Differences in the frequency of genes and haplotypes were determined by χ² test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  KIR2DL2, 2DL5a, 2DL5b and activating KIR: KIR2DS5 and 3DS1 were all protective against RA. KIR2DL5 removal from a full Inhibitory KIR haplotype converted the mild protection (OR = 0.56) to a powerful predisposition to RA (OR = 16.47). Inhibitory haplotype No. 7 comprising KIR2DL5 in the absence of KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3 confers a 14-fold protective effect against RA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals carrying the inhibitory KIR haplotype No. 6 have a high potential risk for developing RA.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Department, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences (International Campus), Yazd, Iran.|Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nazari
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahmoudi
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.|Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.|Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rahmani
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoomeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akhlaghi
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.|Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.|Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maani
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beigy
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azarian
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Elmira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shamsian
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akhtari
authors.affiliation: Immunology Department, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences (International Campus), Yazd, Iran.|Immunology Department, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mansouri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D060467:Disease Resistance / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058889:Molecular Typing; D011544:Pseudogenes; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D054340:Receptors, KIR