[HLA-DRB alleles polymorphism in susceptibility to asthma in Beijing Chinese].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether susceptibility or resistance to asthma associated with HLA-DRB alleles and analyze the relationship between HLA-DRB genes and clinical phenotype of asthma (TIgE, sIgE, BHR).


METHODS
Using PCR-SSP(sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction), we tested the frequency distribution of HLA-DRB alleles in 50 asthmatic patients and 80 healthy volunteers from Beijing China. All patients had their serum TIgE, IgE antibody specific to house dust mite measured by RAST, bronchial responsiveness assessed by methacholine bronch-provocation (if FEV1% > or = 70%), and broncho-dilation measurement by inhaling salbutamol.


RESULTS
There was significantly increased gene frequency of alleles DR6(13), DR52 in asthmatics compared with normal controls (17% vs 4.3%, P < 0.01; 50% vs 17.5%, P < 0.01), and RR was 7.55 and 4.7 respectively. The frequency of DR2(15), DR51 was lower in asthmatics than in controls (7% vs 18% P < 0.01; 2% vs 33.8% P < 0.01). The percentage of HLA haplotype DR6(13)-DR52 was higher in asthmatics than in healthy volunteers (20% vs 4%, P < 0.01, RR 6.4). 70% of individuals sharing DR6(13) gene and 56% of subjects carrying DR52 gene had elevated serum d1 sIgE antibody (> or = +4). There was no relationship between HLA-DRB alleles and total IgE, BHR.


CONCLUSIONS
Alleles DR6(13), DR52 are significantly implicated in their susceptibility to asthma, at least they may be closely associated with this disorder. Conversely DR2(15), DR51 alleles might confer protection against asthma. Positive associations between DR6(13), DR52 and IgE response to d1 allergen are noted. HLA-DRB genes are particularly involved in regulating human atopic immune response.
Gao
J
J
Department of Respiratory Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing.
Lin
Y
Y
Qiu
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains