Diversity of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes in uveitis associated with autoimmune diseases: ankylosing spondylitis and Behçet disease

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2013 Apr;21(2):135-43. doi: 10.3109/09273948.2012.754905.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether the frequencies of specific killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) genotypes are associated with the incidence of uveitis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and Behçet disease (BD).

Methods: The authors analyzed the frequency of 16 KIR genes in Koreans with either AS (110 patients, all HLA-B27-positive) or BD (86 patients), using polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing.

Results: The frequency of the inhibitory receptor KIR3DL1 was lower in AS patients affected by uveitis than that in the general population (p < 0.05). The frequency of the KIR3DL1(-)/2DS3(-) was significantly higher in AS patients with uveitis (odds ratio = 9.306, p = 0.007).

Conclusions: The study suggests that KIR3DL1 might associate with the resistance to AS-associated uveitis by influencing natural killer cell activity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Behcet Syndrome / complications*
  • Behcet Syndrome / immunology
  • DNA / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genotype
  • HLA-B27 Antigen / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptors, KIR / genetics*
  • Receptors, KIR / metabolism
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / complications*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / immunology
  • Uveitis / etiology
  • Uveitis / genetics*
  • Uveitis / immunology

Substances

  • HLA-B27 Antigen
  • Receptors, KIR
  • DNA