Killer immunoglobulin receptor genes and their HLA–C ligand are associated with Type 1 diabetes in an Eastern Indian population

Aim Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and their interaction with HLA class I ligands have been shown to be associated with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of KIR genes and their HLA–C ligands for susceptibility to Type 1 diabetes in patients from Eastern India. Methods A total of 135 patients with Type 1 diabetes and 98 healthy subjects from Eastern India were typed for KIR genes and HLA–C ligands using PCR-based genotyping. The frequencies of these genes were compared between patients and controls. Results Comparison of KIR genes between Type 1 diabetes patients and healthy subjects revealed significantly different frequencies of KIRs 2DL2 and 2DS4. The presence of HLA–C1 was negatively associated with disease. The presence of both HLA–C1 and -C2 showed a negative association with Type 1 diabetes, whereas the absence of C1 and presence of C2 was positively associated with disease. Stratification analysis of HLA–C ligands and KIRs showed significant associations between Type 1 diabetes and 2DL2+/C1−, 2DL2−/C1+, 2DL3+/C1+, 2DL3+/C1− and 2DS2+/C1−. Conclusions Our results suggest that the interaction of KIRs with HLA–C ligands are significant and certain combinations contribute to susceptibility to and protection against Type 1 diabetes.