Human leukocyte antigen polymorphisms and Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus infection outcomes: A call for deeper exploration

• Published in: Journal of medical virology Vol. 91; no. 4; pp. 541 - 548
• Main Authors: Fang, Qiwen, Liu, Zhenqiu, Zhang, Tiejun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.04.2019
• Subjects: Adaptive immunity; Adaptive systems; allele; Antigens; Cofactors; Exploration; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genomes; Herpesviridae Infections - genetics; Herpesviridae Infections - immunology; Herpesvirus 8, Human - genetics; Herpesvirus 8, Human - immunology; Histocompatibility antigen HLA; HLA Antigens - genetics; human leukocyte antigen (HLA); Humans; Immune response; Immune system; Immunity; Infections; Kaposi's sarcoma; Kaposi's sarcoma (KS); Kaposis sarcoma; Leukocytes; Polymorphism, Genetic; polymorphisms; Population studies; Sarcoma; Tissue typing; Virology; Viruses; Kaposi's sarcoma (KS); polymorphisms; human leukocyte antigen (HLA); allele
• ISSN: 0146-6615; 1096-9071; 1096-9071
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25342

Host genetic background may influence the immunity to resist viral infection. As the most polymorphic loci in the entire human genome, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system plays an important role in innate and adaptive immune responses to many invading pathogens. Studies have shown that an association might exist between HLA polymorphisms and susceptibility to Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection and associated diseases. However, discrepant conclusions were reached among different subjects with different detection methods. Therefore, it is now urgent to summarize current results and figure out the achievements and deficiencies of the existing research for the reference to future studies. A better understanding about the role of HLA polymorphisms in KSHV infection outcome would enable us to elucidate the pathways through which the virus evades the host defense system and improve strategies for the prevention and treatment of KSHV infection. HLA gene polymorphisms can partially account for the complex interactions between genetic background, KSHV infection, and the immune system as cofactors in KS. We discussed the association of HLA alleles with susceptibility to KSHV infection and the potential mechanisms by summarizing existing results. However, we found current population studies were far from sufficient compared with other viruses. Several shortcomings in design compounded by the use of less accurate serological typing methods should be noted in the future studies.