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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
07:40
Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis: An Intraocular Inflammatory Mouse Model
Published on: January 12, 2022
Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor genes in uveitis
1Ocular Inflammatory Disease Center, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA. Levinson@jsei.ucla.edu
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|May 21, 2011
Summary
Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) play a role in uveitis pathogenesis. KIR gene associations suggest involvement in conditions like birdshot chorioretinopathy and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are crucial regulators of immune cell function.
- KIRs modulate NK and T cell activity, impacting cellular responses like cytotoxicity and cytokine release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the function and genetics of KIRs.
- To examine KIR genetic associations with various forms of uveitis.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of existing published studies was conducted.
Main Results:
- Studies investigated KIR gene associations with birdshot chorioretinopathy (BCR), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease, and HLA-B27-associated acute anterior uveitis (AAU).
- Evidence suggests specific KIR and HLA gene combinations are associated with increased risk in BCR and VKH disease.
- In HLA-B27-associated uveitis, a trend towards decreased activation and stronger inhibition by KIRs was observed, with a notable exception for the 3DL1 and Bw4(T80) combination, which conferred risk in BCR.
Conclusions:
- KIR genetics and the functions of KIR-bearing cells are complex.
- The reviewed evidence supports a role for KIRs in the pathogenesis of uveitis.
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