Genetic associations of killer immunoglobulin like receptors and class I human leukocyte antigens on childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia among north Indians.

Abstract Background Molecular interactions between KIRs and their cognate HLA class-I ligands, play a central role in the regulation of natural killer (NK) cell responses in malignancies. We aimed to determine the role of KIR genes and their HLA ligands in genetic predisposition of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods Genotyping of 16 KIR genes, along with HLA class-I groups C1/C2 and Bw4 super-type ligands, was carried-out in 137 childhood ALL cases and 274 healthy controls. Results We observed an increased incidence of activating KIRs namely; 2DS2 (OR = 2.23, p  =  2DS3 (OR = 1.74, p  = 0.011), 3DS1 (OR = 2.22, p  =  2DS5 (OR = 2.10, p  = 0.001), 2DS1 (OR = 4.42, p  =  2DS4 (OR = 2.88, p  =  KIR genes was predominant in cases compared to controls (OR = 2.55, p  =  KIR -receptor/ HLA -ligand combinations analysis revealed a moderate risk of almost 2-fold for activating KIR -ligand combinations namely; KIR2DS1 - HLAC2 , KIR2DS2 - HLAC1 and KIR3DS1 - HLABw4 in childhood ALL cases. Conclusion Our data suggests the role for KIR genes and their HLA ligands in aetiology of childhood ALL.