Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic illness that is associated with immune dysregulation. NK cell function has previously been associated with AD. NK cells directly interact with polymorphic HLA class I ligand variants using killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs). The purpose of this study was to identify potential associations between NK cell function and AD by evaluating variation in the presence of KIR genes as well as KIR gene interactions with the appropriate HLA class I KIR–specific ligands. Human DNA from the genetics of AD case–control study was used to genotype HLA class I KIR–specific ligands and the presence of KIR genes. In the full cohort, an increased risk of AD was noted for KIR2DL5 (1.51 [1.13, 2.01]), KIR2DS5 (1.72 [1.26, 2.34]), and KIR2DS1 (1.41 [1.04, 1.91]). Individuals with KIR2DS5 or KIR2DS1 and the HLA-C*C2 epitope were at an increased risk of AD (1.74 [1.21, 2.51] and 1.48 [1.04, 2.12], respectively). The HLA-B*-21T (TT) leader sequence increased the risk of AD across ethnicity. African Americans with KIR2DL2, KIR2DS1, KIR2DL5, and KIR2DS5 are more likely to have AD, and the risk increased for KIR2DS1 and KIR2DS5 in the presence of appropriate HLA-C C2 epitope. The risk of AD also increased for individuals with the HLA-B*-21T leader sequence. Future studies should focus on KIR gene allelic variation as well as consider cell-based measurements of KIR and the associated HLA class I epitopes.

特应性皮炎 (AD) 是一种与免疫失调相关的慢性疾病。NK 细胞功能以前与 AD 相关。NK 细胞使用杀伤细胞 Ig 样受体 (KIR) 直接与多态性 HLA I 类配体变体相互作用。本研究的目的是通过评估 KIR 基因存在的变异以及 KIR 基因与适当的 HLA I 类 KIR 特异性配体的相互作用来确定 NK 细胞功能与 AD 之间的潜在关联。来自 AD 病例对照研究遗传学的人类 DNA 用于对 HLA I 类 KIR 特异性配体和 KIR 基因的存在进行基因分型。在整个队列中，注意到KIR2DL5 (1.51 [1.13, 2.01])、KIR2DS5 (1.72 [1.26, 2.34]) 和KIR的 AD 风险增加2DS1 (1.41 [1.04, 1.91])。具有KIR2DS5或KIR2DS1和 HLA-C*C2 表位的个体患 AD 的风险增加（分别为 1.74 [1.21, 2.51] 和 1.48 [1.04, 2.12]）。HLA-B*-21T (TT) 前导序列增加了跨种族患 AD 的风险。患有KIR2DL2、KIR2DS1、KIR2DL5和KIR2DS5的非洲裔美国人更可能患有 AD，并且在存在适当的 HLA-C C2 表位的情况下，KIR2DS1和KIR2DS5的风险增加。具有 HLA-B*-21T 前导序列的个体患 AD 的风险也增加了。未来的研究应侧重于KIR基因等位基因变异以及考虑基于细胞的 KIR 和相关 HLA I 类表位的测量。