CXCR2 +1208 CT genotype may predict earlier clinical stage at diagnosis in patients with prostate cancer.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is an angiogenic CXC chemokine that plays an important role in both the development and progression of several human malignancies including prostate cancer (PC). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -251 upstream of the transcriptional start site of the IL-8 gene has been shown to influence its production. The effects of IL-8 are mediated by two highly related chemokine receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2. The present study investigated the influence of the IL-8 and CXCR2 gene variation on susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of PC in a group of Brazilian subjects. METHODS: Two hundred and one patients and 185 healthy controls were enrolled in a case-control study. Blood was collected for DNA extraction; typing of IL-8 -251 T/A and CXCR2 +1208 C/T genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP), followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Risk association between the genotypes, PC susceptibility and tumor characteristics was estimated by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for age at diagnosis. RESULTS: A significant association was found between the heterozygous CXCR2 +1208 CT genotype and stage of PC. The CXCR2 +1208 CT genotype was significantly less frequent in patients with clinical stage T3-T4 compared to T1-T2 (56.7 versus 80.5%). Our findings suggest that carriers of the CXCR2 +1208 CT genotype had a protective effect for advanced PC (CT versus CC: adjusted OR=0.25; P=0.02). No association was observed between the SNP for IL-8 -251 T/A and clinicopathological parameters of PC. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that the CXCR2 +1208 CT genotype is less frequent in advanced stages of PC, suggesting that this chemokine receptor plays a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Reduced frequency of two activating KIR genes in patients with sepsis.

Natural killer (NK) cell activity is regulated by activating and inhibitory signals transduced by killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). Diversity in KIR gene repertoire among individuals may affect disease outcome. Sepsis development and severity may be influenced by genetic factors affecting the immune response. Here, we examined sixteen KIR genes and their human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I ligands in critical patients, aiming to identify patterns that could be associated with sepsis. Male and female patients (ages ranging between 14 and 94years-old) were included. DNA samples from 211 patients with sepsis and 60 controls (critical care patients with no sepsis) collected between 2004 and 2010 were included and genotyped for KIR genes using the polymerase chain reaction method with sequence-specific oligonucleotide (PCR-SSO), and for HLA genes using the polymerase chain reaction method with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). The frequencies of activating KIR2DS1 and KIR3DS1 in sepsis patients when compared to controls were 41.23% versus 55.00% and 36.49% versus 51.67% (p=0.077 and 0.037 respectively before Bonferroni correction). These results indicate that activating KIR genes 2DS1 and 3DS1 may more prevalent in critical patients without sepsis than in patients with sepsis, suggesting a potential protective role of activating KIR genes in sepsis.

KIR genes and HLA class I ligands in a Caucasian Brazilian population with colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) can occur anywhere in the colon or rectum and represents the third most common cancer in the world in both sexes. Natural killer cells (NK) are part of the innate immune system recognizing class I HLA molecules on target cells through their membrane receptors, called killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between the KIR genes and HLA ligands in patients with colorectal cancer and healthy controls. We examined the polymorphism of 16 KIR genes and their HLA ligands in 154 caucasoid CRC patients and 216 controls. When both groups were compared, no significant differences were found for HLA ligands and KIR genes after Bonferroni correction. However, the Bx haplotypes (heterozygous and homozygous for the haplotype B) were more frequent in controls, when compared with patients. These findings suggest that individuals with Bx haplotypes could have some protection to colorectal cancer. The hypothesis is not related with the presence of a special KIR gene and HLA ligand related to the disease, but to the presence of several activating genes in the individuals with no better action of one in relation to other. Further studies to confirm this observation are warranted.

Analysis of KIR gene frequencies and HLA class I genotypes in breast cancer and control group.

Breast cancer is the main cause of cancer-related death among women, with a 0.5% increase in incidence per year. Natural killer cells (NK) are part of the innate immune system recognizing class I HLA molecules on target cells through their membrane receptors, called killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between the KIR genes and HLA alleles in patients with breast cancer and healthy controls. Two hundred thirty patients with breast cancer and 272 healthy controls were typed for HLA class I and KIR genes by PCR-SSO. When both groups were compared, the presence of inhibitory KIR2DL2 receptors was significantly higher in breast cancer patients than in healthy controls. No significant differences were found for HLA-C2 and HLA-Bw4. However, a higher frequency of HLA-C1 in breast cancer patients was observed. These findings suggest a potential role for the KIR gene system in breast cancer. Further studies to confirm this observation are warranted.

Human leukocyte antigens and Gaucher disease.

BACKGROUND: Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by the reduced activity of lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase, which leads to the accumulation of glucocerebroside in macrophages and a chronic stimulation of the immune system. GD is divided into 3 main types according to the presence or absence of neurological involvement and to its presentation (acute or chronic). Gaucher cells show an increase in their expression of HLA-DR antigens on their surface, and there is an increase in levels of antigen-presenting molecules. Over 100 diseases have already been associated to HLA antigens; however, this association has never been studied in GD. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the variability of HLA genes in a Southern Brazilian sample of GD patients, to compare it with controls, and to look for associations with clinical manifestations. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-one GD patients (24 mild, 4 moderate, and 3 severe) were included in the study. They were typed for HLA A, B, and DR and compared to 250 healthy controls. The clinical data were obtained from the review of medical records. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: There was a significant difference in the frequency of B37 allele among patients when compared to controls (p=0.011, OR 13.28). An association was found between DR11 (p=0.008) and DR13 (p=0.011) alleles and the severity of the disease. DR11 allele seems to be associated to neurologic compromise, while DR13 seems to be associated to osteonecrosis. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a possible association of HLA variants and GD. The HLA variants must be further studied, for they seem to be a phenotype-modifier factor for GD.

KIR genes and HLA class I ligands in Gaucher disease.

UNLABELLED: Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by reduced activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase, which leads to a buildup of glucocerebroside within the cells and chronic stimulation of the immune system. GD is associated with clinical variability even in the same family, which suggests the influence of modifier genes. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in the immune response, and their number is decreased in GD. Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) regulate the activity of NK cells through an interaction with specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules on target cells. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the variability of KIR genes in a sample of GD patients from Southern Brazil, and look for associations between variants and clinical manifestations. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-one GD patients (24 mild, 4 moderate, and 3 severe) were included in the study. Fifteen KIR genes, HLA-C and HLA-Bw4 were analyzed using SSP-PCR. Clinical, biochemical, and radiological data were collected by means of a chart review. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: Age at symptom onset was associated with KIR2DL2 and KIR2DS2 in combination with the ligand HLA-C1 (p=0.038). Patients who have the HLA-C2 variant appear to have more mono- and polyclonal bands on protein electrophoresis (p=0.007, OR 21.3). There was no between-group significant difference in the frequencies of KIR/HLA variants. CONCLUSION: Although exploratory our data suggest a possible association of KIR/HLA variants and the severity of GD. Further study of KIR/HLA variants is required, as they seem to be a phenotype-modifying factor in this disease.

Association of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and human leukocyte antigen-C genotypes in South Brazilian with type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is a multifactorial and chronic autoimmune disease caused by the deficiency of insulin synthesis and or by its secretion or action defects. Genetic and environmental factors are known to be involved in its pathogenesis. The human leukocyte antigen complex (human leukocyte antigen (HLA)) constitutes the most relevant region contributing with 50% of the inherited risk for T1D. Natural killer cells (NK) are part of the innate immune system recognizing class I HLA molecules on target cells through their membrane receptors, called killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). The aim of our study is to evaluate the association between the KIR genes and HLA alleles in patients with T1D and healthy controls. Two hundred forty-eight T1D patients and 250 healthy controls were typed for HLA and KIR genes by PCR-SSP. Our results showed an increase of C2 in controls (p = 0.002). The genotype 2DL1/C2+ was also more common in controls (p = 0.001), as well as haplotype association KIR2DL2/DR3/DR4+ and the combination with only DR3+ (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). The maximum protection was seen when KIR2DL2/DR3-were absent when the combination of KIR2DL1/C2+ were present (p < 0.001) and the maximum risk was observed when KIR2DL2/DR3/DR4+ were present in the absence of KIR2DL1/C2- (p = 0.005). Our results confirmed the association of the KIR2DL2/DR3 increasing risk for T1D and suggest a protective role of KIR2DL1/C2.

Study of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor genes and human leukocyte antigens class I ligands in a Caucasian Brazilian population with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the bowel, of unknown origin. Exposure to specific environmental factors by genetically susceptible individuals, leading to an inadequate response of the immune system, is one of the potential explanations for the occurrence of these diseases. Natural killer cells are part of the innate immune system recognizing class I HLA (human leukocyte antigen) molecules on target cells through their membrane receptors. The main receptors of the natural killer cells are the killer immunoglobulinlike receptors (KIRs). Our study aimed to evaluate the association between the KIR genes in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and healthy controls. We typed 15 KIR genes and HLA class I ligands in 248 unrelated Brazilian Caucasians, of which 111 had UC and 137 had CD, and 250 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific oligonucleotides and sequence-specific primers. We found an increase in KIR2DL2 in controls (inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]: p < 0.001; UC: p = 0.01; CD: p = not significant [NS]). The genotype 2DL2+/HLA-C lys(80)+ was also more common in controls (IBD: p = 0.005; UC: p = 0.01; CD: p = NS); as well as 2DL1+/HLA-C Asn(80)+ (IBD: p = 0.026; UC: p = NS;CD: p = NS). The imbalance between activating and inhibitory KIR and HLA ligands may explain, at least in part, the pathogenesis of these inflammatory bowel diseases.