Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor and their HLA ligands in Guillain-Barré Syndrome

J Neuroimmunol. 2014 Feb 15;267(1-2):92-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2013.12.007. Epub 2013 Dec 12.

Abstract

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an inflammatory neuropathy that occurs in some individuals after exposure to an infectious illness. We investigated the role of Killer-immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and their HLA ligands as potential genetic factors in the pathogenesis of GBS. These receptors are involved in the innate immune response to infections. Whilst no significant differences in the frequencies KIR genes were found, HLA-C2 and HLA-B Bw4-T were more frequent in subjects with GBS than controls (p<0.001). The inhibitory pairs KIR-2DL2/HLA-C2 and KIR-3DL1/HLA-B Bw4-T were more frequent in GBS than controls (all p<0.005). We propose that NK cell inhibition is an important factor in the pathogenesis of GBS.

Keywords: Gene frequency; Guillain-Barré syndrome; Histocompatibility antigens, Class I; Killer cells, Natural; Receptors, KIR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / pathology*
  • HLA-C Antigens / metabolism*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, KIR / metabolism*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • HLA-C Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, KIR