The impact of KIR/HLA genes on the risk of developing multibacillary leprosy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a group of regulatory molecules able to activate or inhibit natural killer cells upon interaction with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. Combinations of KIR and HLA may contribute to the occurrence of different immunological and clinical responses to infectious diseases. Leprosy is a chronic neglected disease, both disabling and disfiguring, caused mainly by Mycobacterium leprae. In this case-control study, we examined the influence of KIRs and HLA ligands on the development of multibacillary leprosy.

Methodology/principal findings

Genotyping of KIR and HLA genes was performed in 264 multibacillary leprosy patients and 518 healthy unrelated controls (238 healthy household contacts and 280 healthy

SUBMITTER: Alves HV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6762192 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature