[Correlation analysis between killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor gene polymorphism and primary biliary...

To explore the association between killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene polymorphism and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in Jiangsu Han population.

Peripheral blood samples were taken from 122 patients with PBC hospitalized in third people's hospital of Changzhou in Jiangsu province between June 2011 and July 2013 and 198 randomly matched unrelated healthy donors. KIR was typed by SYBR(R)Green I real-time PCR genotyping assay. Gene and genotype frequencies of KIR were compared between the two groups.

The gene frequencies of KIR2DL2 and 2DS2 were significantly lower in the PBC group as compared with those of the control group. KIR2DL2 and 2DS2 were associated with lower risk of PBC. The total 55 KIR genotypes were found in the patients (24 genotypes) and the controls (47 genotypes). The most commonly observed KIR genotype was AA1 , and the next were BX2, BX8, BX4 and BX14 . Only 11 genotypes were observed in five individuals or more, allowing for a meaningful comparison of genotype frequencies between the patients and controls. There was no statistically significant difference in genotype frequencies between the two groups.

The absence of KIR2DL2/2DS2 genotype may be associated with protection against PBC in Jiangsu Han population.