Ocular toxoplasmosis: susceptibility in respect to the genes encoding the KIR receptors and their HLA class I ligands

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence KIR genes and their HLA ligands in the susceptibility of ocular toxoplasmosis. A total of 297 patients serologically-diagnosed with toxoplasmosis were selected and stratified according to presence (n=148) or absence (n=149) of ocular scars/lesions due toxoplasmosis. The group of patients with scars/lesions was further subdivided into two groups according to the type of the ocular manifestation observed: primary (n=120) or recurrent (n=28). Genotyping of the KIR genes and HLA alleles was performed by PCR-SSO (One Lambda). Activating KIR3DS1 gene was associated with increased susceptibility to ocular toxoplasmosis. Activating KIR genes together with their HLA ligands (KIR3DS1+/Bw4-80Ile+ and KIR2DS1+/C2++KIR3DS1+/Bw4-80Ile+) were associated with increased susceptibility to ocular toxoplasmosis and its clinical manifestations. KIR-HLA inhibitory pairs -KIR2DL3/2DL3-C1/C1 and KIR2DL3/2DL3-C1- were associated with decreased susceptibility to ocular toxoplasmosis and its clinical forms, while KIR3DS1-/KIR3DL1+/Bw4-80Ile+ combination was associated as a protective factor against the development of ocular toxoplasmosis and, in particular, against recurrent manifestation. Our data demonstrate that activating and inhibitory KIR genes may influence the development of ocular toxoplasmosis. (AU)