Genetic control of immune response and disease susceptibility by the HLA-DQ gene.
The particular alleles of the HLA-DQ locus may control the low immune response to natural antigens by a dominant genetic trait through the immune suppression mediated by CD8+ suppressor T cells. The suppressor T cells may be activated by DQ-restricted and antigen-specific CD4+ suppressor/inducer T cells, because (1) a statistically significant association and linkage between low immune responsiveness to the natural antigens and the HLA-DQ gene were observed; (2) antigen-specific CD4+ T cells restricted by the DQ molecules encoded for by the HLA-DQ allele associated with low responsiveness were evidenced in many low responders; and (3) anti-HLA-DQ mAb restored the immune response to natural antigens, in some low responders. This HLA-DQ-controlled polymorphism of immune response to the natural antigens may account for the association between HLA-DQ alleles and organ-specific autoimmune diseases.
Department of Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Y
Y
Nishimura
N
N
Kamikawaji
K
K
Fujisawa
H
H
Yoshizumi
M
M
Yasunami
A
A
Kimura
T
T
Sasazuki
D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000276:immunology; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D001324:Autoantigens; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens