Association between HLA genes and susceptibility to toluene diisocyanate-induced asthma.
BACKGROUND
Only a small proportion of subjects exposed to isocyanates develop occupational asthma, suggesting individual predisposition. The human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules may play a crucial role in the development of the immune response to isocyanates.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of HLA class II molecules in the development of toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma.


METHODS
Sixty-seven asthmatic subjects and 27 asymptomatic exposed subjects (controls) were typed at the HLA class II DQA1, DQB1 and DRB1 loci by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques.


RESULTS
The frequencies of DQA1*0104 and DQB1*0503 were significantly increased in asthmatics compared with asymptomatic exposed subjects, while DQA1*0101 and DQB1*0501 were significantly increased in asymptomatic exposed subjects. No significant difference was found in the distribution of DRB1 alleles between asthmatics and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that HLA-regulated immune mechanisms are involved in TDI-induced asthma and that, in exposed subjects, specific factors may increase or decrease the risk of developing disease.
Mapp
C E
CE
Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Padova, Italy.
Beghè
B
B
Balboni
A
A
Zamorani
G
G
Padoan
M
M
Jovine
L
L
Baricordi
O R
OR
Fabbri
L M
LM
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D059848:HLA-DQ alpha-Chains; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate / Q000009:adverse effects*
D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D059848:HLA-DQ alpha-Chains; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; C069050:HLA-DQA1 antigen; C057615:HLA-DQbeta antigen; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate