KIR/HLA pleiotropism: Protection against both HIV and opportunistic infections

Ying Qi, Maureen P. Martin, Xiaojiang Gao, Lisa Jacobson, James J. Goedert, Susan Buchbinder, Gregory D. Kirk, Stephen J. O'Brien, John Trowsdale, Mary Carrington

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

131 Scopus citations

Abstract

The compound genotype KIR3DS1/HLA-B Bw4-80I, which presumably favors natural killer cell activation, has been implicated in protection against HIV disease. We show that this genotype confers dual protection over the course of HIV disease; early direct containment of HIV viral load, and late specific defense against opportunistic infections, but not AIDS-related malignancies. The double protection of KIR3DS1/Bw4-80I in an etiologically complex disease such as AIDS, along with the disease specificity of its effects is conceptually novel and underscores the intricacy of host immunogenetics against HIV/AIDS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)741-745
Number of pages5
JournalPLoS pathogens
Volume2
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Virology

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