Role of HLA, KIR, MICA, and Cytokines Genes in Leprosy
Many genes including HLA, KIR, and MICA genes, as well as polymorphisms in cytokines have been investigated for their role in
infectious disease. HLA allelesmay influence not only susceptibility or resistance to leprosy, but also the course of the disease. Some
combinations of HLA and KIR may result in negative aswell as positive interactions betweenNKcells and infected host cells with M.
leprae, resulting in activation or inhibition ofNKcells and, consequently, in death of bacillus. In addition, studies have demonstrated
the influence of MICA genes in the pathogenesis of leprosy. Specifically, theymay play a role in the interaction between NK cells and
infected cells. Finally, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines have been influencing the clinical course of leprosy. Data from a wide
variety of sources support the existence of genetic factors influencing the leprosy pathogenesis. These sources include twin studies,
segregation analyses, family-based linkage and association studies, candidate gene association studies, and, most recently, genomewide
association studies (GWAS).Thepurpose of this brief review was to highlight the importance of some immune response genes
and their correlation with the clinical forms of leprosy, as well as their implications for disease resistance and susceptibility.