The importance of the interactions between KIRs andHLA ligands in the development of human autoimmuneand viral diseases

Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) regulate the activation ofnatural killer cells through their interaction with human leucocyte antigens(HLA). KIR and HLA loci are highly polymorphic, and certainKIR/HLA combinations have been found to protect against viral infectionsor to predispose to autoimmune disorders. In particular, someactivating KIR profiles may be detrimental in autoimmune pathogenesis,and specific KIR genes may be particularly aggressive in the clearanceof different microorganisms, protecting individuals in the control of agiven pathogen. Here we reviewed a growing body of evidence purportingthe influence of KIR polymorphism and KIR-HLA interaction in thedevelopment of the main human autoimmune and viral diseases.