Association of KIR Genotypes and Haplotypes with Susceptibility to Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Chinese Han Population

Abstract

Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes can regulate the activation of NK and T cells upon interaction with HLA class I molecules. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been regarded as a multi-factorial disorder disease. Previous studies revealed that KIRs were involved in HCV and HIV infection or clearance. The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of the inheritance of KIR genotypes and haplotypes as a candidate for susceptibility to persistent HBV infection or HBV clearance. The sequence specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) was employed to identify the KIR genes and pseudogenes in 150 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, 251 spontaneously recovered (SR) controls, and 412 healthy controls. The frequencies of genotype G, M, FZ1 increased in CHB patients compared with healthy control subjects. The frequency of genotype AH was higher in SR controls than that in both CHB patients and healthy controls. The carriage frequencies of genotype G and AH were higher; while, the frequencies of AF and AJ were lower in SR controls than those in healthy control subjects. The frequency of A haplotype was lower, whereas, the frequency of B haplotype was higher in CHB patients and SR controls than those in healthy controls. In healthy controls, haplotype 4 was found lower compared with that in CHB patients and SR controls and the frequency of haplotype 5 was higher in SR controls than that in other two groups. Based on these findings, it seems that the genotypes M and FZ1 are HBV susceptive genotypes; AH, on the other hand, may be protective genotypes that facilitate the clearance of HBV. It appears that the haplotype 4 is HBV susceptive haplotype, whereas, haplotype 5 may be the protective haplotype that facilitates the clearance of HBV. Cellular & Molecular Immunology. 2008;5(6):457-463.

The genetic predisposition of natural killer cell to BK virus–associated nephropathy in renal transplant patients

“…1,2 Some previous studies identified a relationship between KIR genotypes and outcomes of several infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus, 5,12 CMV, 13 hepatitis B virus, 14 and hepatitis C virus. 15,16 Our data demonstrate for the first time the role of KIRs in the pathogenesis of BKV infection.…”

KIR3DL01 Recognition of Bw4 Ligands in the Rhesus Macaque: Maintenance of Bw4 Specificity since the Divergence of Apes and Old World Monkeys

“…Genetic evidence suggests that KIR and MHC class I polymorphisms play a significant role in determining the course of infection for several human pathogens, including hepatitis C virus (8), hepatitis B virus (9, 10), human papilloma virus (11, 12), HSV (13), and HIV (14, 15). However, studies addressing the functional implications of these observations have been limited by the lack of a suitable animal model.…”

KIR and a specific HLA-C gene are associated with susceptibility and resistance to hepatitis B virus infection in a Brazilian population

“…It has been reported that KIR2DL3:HLA-C1 homozygosity was protective in a Chinese population, 14 whereas KIR2DL1:HLA-C2 was associated with HBV infection susceptibility according to subsequent findings. 15,16 Unfortunately, studies of KIR/HLA-C interactions in Brazilian populations are focused on autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases other than hepatitis B.…”