HLA-DRB1*07 may have a susceptibility and DRB1*04 a protective effect upon the development of a sensitization to house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.
BACKGROUND
IgE responses to house dust mite-derived allergens seem to be the most important in the development of atopic asthma and rhinitis, but it has been difficult to demonstrate genetic control of the IgE response to the allergens.


OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to investigate the association between sensitization to house dust mite, D. pteronyssinus (DP), and genotypes of HLA-DRB1 alleles.


METHODS
DNAs were extracted from two groups of unrelated Koreans: (1) 178 with sensitization to DP; and (2) 99 age-matched non-atopic controls. Genotypes of the HLA-DRB1 alleles were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods.


RESULTS
The frequency of HLA-DRB1*07 was significantly increased in the DP-sensitive subjects compared with the controls (15.7% vs 4.0%, P = 0.009). Conversely, the frequencies of HLA-DRB1*04 and *14 were decreased in the DP-sensitive subjects compared with the controls (27.5% vs 45.5%, P = 0.002; 13.5% vs 24.2%, P = 0.02). Of the DRB1*04 alleles, DRB1*0403 was significantly decreased in the DP-sensitive subjects compared with the controls (3.9% vs 13.1%, P = 0.005). No significant differences were found in the distributions of the other HLA-DRB1 alleles between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
HLA-DRB1*07 may have a susceptibility, and DRB1*04 and DRB1*14 may have a protective effect, upon the development of a sensitization to DP.
Kim
Y K
YK
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
Oh
H B
HB
Oh
S Y
SY
Cho
S H
SH
Kim
Y Y
YY
Min
K U
KU
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004391:Dust; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains