Association of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genotypes with susceptibility to endometriosis.

Abstract

PROBLEM:

Endometriosis is an immune-related chronic inflammatory disease with a polygenic predisposition. The aim of this study was to investigate whether polymorphisms in killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) is responsible, in part, for genetic susceptibility to endometriosis.

METHOD OF STUDY:

The KIRs genotype was determined in 186 patients with endometriosis and 165 control women using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers.

RESULTS:

The frequency of KIR3DS1 was significantly decreased in patients compared with controls (32% versus 44%, P=0.028). KIR data were analyzed using a model comprised of three large groups, in which a gradient of activation/inhibitory potential derived from the combination of KIR and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligand genes was taken into account. The frequency of inhibitory KIRs/HLA-class I combination genotypes was significantly higher in patients than in controls (chi2=6.010, 2 df, P=0.0496).

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest that polymorphism in KIRs may be associated with susceptibility for endometriosis.

• Authors: Jo Kitawaki, Bing Xu, Hiroaki Ishihara, Michiaki Fukui, Goji Hasegawa, Naoto Nakamura, Shigeto Mizuno, Mitsuhiro Ohta, Hiroshi Obayashi, Hideo Honjo
• Journal: American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989) (Am J Reprod Immunol) Vol. 58 Issue 6 Pg. 481-6 (Dec 2007) ISSN: 1046-7408 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 17997746 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Receptors, KIR

Topics

• Adult
• Case-Control Studies
• Endometriosis (genetics, immunology)
• Female
• Genes, MHC Class I (immunology)
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Genotype
• Humans
• Killer Cells, Natural (immunology)
• Middle Aged
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Receptors, KIR (genetics, immunology)