Variation in MICA and MICB genes and enhanced susceptibility to paucibacillary leprosy in South India

Tosh, Kerrie ; Ravikumar, Muthuswamy ; Bell, Jordana Tzenova ; Meisner, Sarah ; Hill, Adrian V. S. ; Pitchappan, Ramasamy (2006) Variation in MICA and MICB genes and enhanced susceptibility to paucibacillary leprosy in South India Human Molecular Genetics, 15 (19). pp. 2880-2887. ISSN 0964-6906

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Official URL: http://hmg.oxfordjournals.org/content/15/19/2880.s...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddl229

Abstract

In a study of mainly paucibacillary leprosy-affected sib-pair families from South India, in addition to the expected associations with the HLA-DRB1 locus, we have identified significant association with a functional variant of the MICA gene as well as a microsatellite in the flanking region of the MICB gene. The associations with MICA and MICB cannot be accounted for by linkage disequilibrium with the HLA class II locus indicating a role in genetic susceptibility to leprosy that is independent of HLA-DRB1. Previous studies have shown that MICA and MICB are expressed on the surface of cells in response to infection, where they are recognized by the NKG2D receptor on γδ T cells, CD8+ αβ T cells and natural killer cells, all of which contribute to defense against mycobacteria. The MICA5A51 allele, associated here with leprosy susceptibility, encodes a protein lacking a cytoplasmic tail providing a possible mechanism for defective immune surveillance against mycobacteria.

Item Type:Article
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Deposited On:08 Aug 2011 12:22
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