title: Killer immunoglobulin receptor genes in spondyloarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We focus on the role of killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR) interactions with the human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-B27 ligand and the potential contribution of KIR-expressing natural killer and T cells in spondyloarthritis, more specifically in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In AS strong epidemiological evidence of significant genetic associations with the major histocompatibility complex was convincingly identified. HLA-B27-positive first-degree relatives of AS cases are 5-16 times more likely to develop disease than HLA-B27-positive carriers in the general community. The GWAS era has enabled rapid progress in identifying non-major histocompatibility complex associations of AS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings show a number of important pathways in AS pathogenesis, including the IL-23-IL-17 pathway, aminopeptidases, peptide presentation, and KIR-HLA-B27 interactions. Studies using genetic markers, including KIRs may be used for a risk assessment about whom may benefit most from the various treatment protocols in spondyloarthritis, now that alternative therapeutic options have become feasible.
authors.affiliation: aSanquin, Department of Blood Cell Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of Immunology bDepartment of Pediatric Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Disease, Emma Children's Hospital cDepartment of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Taco W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Kuijpers
authors.forename: Sanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vendelbosch
authors.forename: Merlijn van den
authors.initials: Mv
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Dominique L P
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Baeten
mesh_terms: D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000235:genetics; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000235:genetics; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D025241:Spondylarthritis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; D020381:Interleukin-17; D053759:Interleukin-23; D054340:Receptors, KIR