Evaluation of the implication of KIR2DL2 receptor in multiple sclerosis and herpesvirus susceptibility

•Significantly higher frequencies for KIR2DL2 enhanced in the presence of its ligand HLA-C1 in MS patients.•An increase in HHVs risk of infection in KIR2DL2 and HLA-C1 positive patient.•Implication of KIR2DL2 receptor in the susceptibility of Multiple sclerosis patients for herpes virus infection.

To evaluate the possible effect of cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) on viral infection in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, we performed genotyping of KIR2DL2 and his HLA-C1 ligand and we analyzed the presence of all eight human herpesviruses (HHVs) in 60 MS patients and 112 healthy controls. Significantly higher frequencies were found for KIR2DL2 enhanced in the presence of its ligand HLA-C1 in MS patients. Moreover, a significant association was observed between an increase in HHV risk of infection in KIR2DL2 and HLA-C1 positive patient. Our results confirm a possible effect of KIR2DL2 on viral infection susceptibility in MS patients.