title: HLA DPB1*0201 allele is negatively associated with immunoglobulin E responsiveness specific for house dust mite allergens in Taiwan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  House dust mite (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is the most important source of indoor allergens that cause allergic diseases in Taiwan. We prepared purified HDM allergens (Der p 1, Der p 2 and Der p 5) to detect allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E responsiveness among a large number of test subjects. The robust genetic typing system for HLA class II genes also facilitated the study on association of HLA and allergic response toward HDM.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study intended to investigate the association between HLA class II alleles and the IgE responsiveness to the major allergens from HDM, D. pteronyssinus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and forty-eight subjects were selected for HLA association study. Plasma HDM allergen (Der p 1, Der p 2, Der p 5) -specific IgE and Der p 2-specific IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA, while HLA class II -DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DPB1 genetic polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction/sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization (PCR/SSOPH). Statistical comparison of the allelic distribution of each HLA class II genes among the individuals with/without HDM allergen-specific IgE and IgG antibodies were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant association between HLA DRB1, DQB1, DQA1 alleles and HDM-specific IgE responsiveness noted. Only DRB1*0803 and the linked DQA1*0103 alleles showed positive association with Der p 5-specific IgE responsiveness. However, we found that HLA-DPB1*1301 predisposed subjects to IgE responsiveness to HDM Der p 5. HLA DPB1*0501 was weakly associated with the IgE responsiveness to HDM Der p 1 and Der p 5. There was a strong negative association between the HLA-DPB1*0201 allele with IgE responsiveness to Der p 1 (OR: 0.30, P </= 0.0001, P </= 0.0007, Pc </= 0.010).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We clearly observed the association between HLA DPB1 alleles and specific IgE responsiveness to HDM major allergens. The molecular mechanism of HLA-DPB1*0201 involvement in protecting subjects from HDM-specific IgE responsiveness awaits further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Microbiology; School of Medical Technology; Graduate Institute of Immunology; Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chua
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D059868:HLA-DP beta-Chains; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004391:Dust; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens; D059868:HLA-DP beta-Chains; C071170:HLA-DPB1 antigen; D007073:Immunoglobulin E