Viral antibody titers are influenced by HLA-DR2 phenotype.
Antibody serum levels against herpes simplex type 1 virus, cytomegalovirus, viral capsid antigens of Epstein-Barr virus, and rubella virus were evaluated in a sample of the Sicilian population. Results demonstrated that HLA-DR2-positive individuals showed a significant increase in antibody titers, when compared to HLA-DR2-negative individuals. These observations seem to be in contrast with the reported association of the HLA-DR2 phenotype with an ineffective immune response against several infectious pathogens. On the other hand, an increased humoral response to viral antigens need not be interpreted as a marker for effective control of virus infections. In fact, the response to virus infections is related to the T-cell-mediated immune response restricted by class-I- or class-II-encoded proteins. Thus, the above-mentioned HLA-DR2-related susceptibility to certain viral infections could be associated with a preferential induction of an increased (although ineffective) antibody synthesis against viral antigens.
Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università di Palermo, Italia.
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Lio
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Caccamo
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D'Anna
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Cigna
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Candore
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Caruso
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015802:HLA-DR2 Antigen / Q000235:genetics*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015802:HLA-DR2 Antigen