KIR/HLA pleiotropism: protection against both HIV and opportunistic infections

PLoS Pathog. 2006 Aug;2(8):e79. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0020079.

Abstract

The compound genotype KIR3DS1/HLA-B Bw4-80I, which presumably favors natural killer cell activation, has been implicated in protection against HIV disease. We show that this genotype confers dual protection over the course of HIV disease; early direct containment of HIV viral load, and late specific defense against opportunistic infections, but not AIDS-related malignancies. The double protection of KIR3DS1/Bw4-80I in an etiologically complex disease such as AIDS, along with the disease specificity of its effects is conceptually novel and underscores the intricacy of host immunogenetics against HIV/AIDS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / genetics*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / immunology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / genetics*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Disease Progression
  • HIV Seropositivity
  • HIV-1
  • HLA-B Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA-B Antigens / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / virology
  • Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / genetics
  • Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / immunology
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology
  • Receptors, KIR
  • Receptors, KIR3DS1
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / genetics
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / immunology

Substances

  • HLA-B Antigens
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, KIR
  • Receptors, KIR3DS1