Killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor gene's repertoire in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the role of the killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) gene's repertoire in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Taiwan.

Methods: KIR genotypes were determined in 122 patients with RA and 96 healthy controls by the sequence‐specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP‐PCR) method. Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐C genotyping was also performed simultaneously in 72 patients and 66 controls by the SSP‐PCR method.

Results: The total carriage frequency of KIR 2DS4 regardless of corresponding HLA‐Cw4 was significantly increased in RA patients compared with controls [p<0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–3.4, Pc<0.01]. The total carriage frequency of KIR 2DL1 regardless of corresponding HLA‐C also tended to be increased in RA patients (p<0.02, OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2–3.9, Pc = not significant). The frequency of KIR 2DS4 with corresponding HLA‐Cw4 was increased in RA patients in comparison with controls (p = 0.02, OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.1–9.4). Moreover, the association of RA with KIR 2DS4 depended on the presence of the corresponding HLA‐Cw4.

Conclusions: KIR 2DS4 may be a risk factor for susceptibility to RA in Taiwan.