KIR and a specific HLA-C gene are associated with susceptibility and resistance to hepatitis B virus infection in a Brazilian population

摘要

BRIEF REPORT The activity of natural killer (NK) cells is partially regulated by killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) interacting with human leukocyte antigen C (HLA-C) ligands.1 The ligands of several inhibitory (2DL and 3DL) and activating (2DS and 3DS) KIR have been described.2 Clinical observations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection reveal that some cases progress to liver failure,fibrosis,cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma,whereas infection resolution occurs in other cases.However,the mechanisms involved in the susceptibility or resistance to HBV are not completely understood.