LILRA6 copy number variation correlates with susceptibility to atopic dermatitis.

Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILR) are expressed mostly on myelomonocytic cells where they are mediators of immunological tolerance. Two LILR genes, LILRA3 and LILRA6, exhibit marked copy number variation. We assessed the contribution of these genes to atopic dermatitis (AD) by analysing transmission in 378 AD families. The data indicated that copies of LILRA6 were over-transmitted to affected patients. They are consistent with a contribution of LILR genes to AD. They could affect the equilibrium between activating and inhibitory signals in the immune response.