Under representation of the inhibitory KIR3DL1 molecule and the KIR3DL1+/BW4+ complex in HIV exposed seronegative individuals.

Guerini, Franca Rosa; Lo Caputo, Sergio; Gori, Andrea; Bandera, Alessandra; Mazzotta, Francesco; Uglietti, Alessia; Zanzottera, Milena; Maserati, Renato et al. · J Infect Dis · 2011

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Abstract

The activation of natural killer (NK) cells is modulated by surface molecules. We analyzed NK cells in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-exposed seronegative (HESN) individuals by means of molecular typing of HLA B, Cw, and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) molecules. In HESN individuals, compared with HIV patients, the frequency of the inhibitory KIR3DL1 allele and of the KIR3DL1(+)/Bw4(+) inhibitory complex was reduced, whereas that of the activatory KIR3DS1(+) ligand and the activatory Bw4(+)/3DL1(-)/3DS1(+) complex was increased, resulting in a statistically significant diversion from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (KIR3DS1 homozygote) in HESN individuals. The reciprocal equilibrium between inhibitory and activatory NK receptors and their ligands favors NK activation in HESN individuals.

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