A significant effect of the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor ligand human leucocyte antigen-C on fibrosis progression in chronic C hepatitis with or without liver transplantation.

Background & Aims: The interaction of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors with their human leucocyte antigen ligands drives the activation and inhibition of natural killer cells. Natural killer cells could be implicated in the development of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: We analysed 206 non-transplanted and 53 liver transplanted patients, selected according to their Metavir fibrosis stage.