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Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Multiple sclerosis is accompanied by lack of KIR2DS1 gene: A meta-analysis
Farhad Shahsavar1, Shaghayegh Mapar2, Seyyed Amir Yasin Ahmadi2
1Associate Professor, Department of Immunology, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which we can recognize destruction of the myelin that is around nerve cells of brain and spinal cord called as oligodendrocytes. Both genetic and environmental factors play roles in MS. One of these genes is the killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) which expressed on surface of natural killer cells (NKs). These genes have loci (not locus) in human genome, so they inherit as haplotypes. The results of previous studies show that different genes of KIR may affect both susceptibility and resistance to such autoimmune disorders that their pathogenesis in MS is still unclear. Since NKs play key roles in immune tolerance, we intend to perform a meta-analysis for the correlation of KIR genes and MS. We used the software comprehensive meta-analysis for data of totally 568 MS patients and 280 controls. Among the 14 genes of KIR in the human genome, lack of KIR2DS1 is accompanied by MS. No KIR gene found to be a risk factor for MS. Further studies on other molecules of NKs like CD94 and NKG2a is suggested.
Insights
The absence of the killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene KIR2DS1 is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). No KIR gene was identified as a risk factor for developing MS in this study.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Neuroimmunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves myelin destruction in the central nervous system.
- Genetic and environmental factors contribute to MS pathogenesis.
- Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes on natural killer (NK) cells are implicated in autoimmune disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between KIR genes and susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.
- To conduct a meta-analysis on the association between KIR gene haplotypes and MS.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis was performed using data from 568 MS patients and 280 controls.
- The study analyzed the association of 14 KIR genes with MS.
- Comprehensive meta-analysis software was utilized for data analysis.
Main Results:
- The absence of the KIR2DS1 gene was found to be associated with multiple sclerosis.
- No specific KIR gene was identified as a risk factor for MS.
- NK cells play a crucial role in immune tolerance relevant to MS.
Conclusions:
- The KIR gene KIR2DS1 may play a role in MS susceptibility.
- Further research into NK cell-associated molecules like CD94 and NKG2a in MS is warranted.

