Increased frequencies of activating NK receptors are associated with liver injury in individuals who did not eliminate hepatitis C virus.

PALADINO N., FLORES AC, MARCOS CY, FAINBOIM H., THEILER G., ARRUVITO L., WILLIAMS F, MIDDLETON D., FAINBOIM L

TISSUE ANTIGENS

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2007 vol. 69 p. 109 - 111

0001-2815

<!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:70.85pt 3.0cm 70.85pt 3.0cm; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> This study was designed to investigate the role of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes in the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In patients who cleared the virus (HCV RNA2) we found a decrease of 2DL2 (P = 0.04), and 2DS2 (P=  0.014) accompanied by an increase of 2DS5 (P =0.04). Those RNA1 patients with elevated levels of hepatic transaminases (HCV RNA1 elevated alanine aminotransferase) showed an increased frequency of 2DS3 (P= 0.018). Additionally, in cirrhotic patients we found an increased frequency of individuals having two copies of 3DS1 and HLA-Bw4 (P =0.016). We conclude that higher natural killer cytotoxicity might be associated with a worse progression of the HCV infection.