Distribution of HLA-A, B alleles and polymorphisms of TAP and LMP genes in Korean patients with atopic dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis has been seen to result from multifactorial inheritance, with interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The genetic association may differ according to the ethnic backgrounds.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic factors in Korean atopic dermatitis patients by studying the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I association and polymorphisms of transporters associated with antigen presentation (TAP) and low-molecular-weight polypeptide (LMP) genes.


METHODS
HLA-A and B genotyping was performed in 53 atopic dermatitis patients and 184 healthy controls using the standard microlymphocytotoxicity technique. TAP1, TAP2, LMP2, and LMP7 gene polymorphisms were anaylzed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), PCR-amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS), and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).


RESULTS
Allele frequency of HLA-A24 was significantly increased in patients with atopic dermatitis compared to controls (P < 0.05). HLA-B alleles showed no differences in distribution between patients and controls. Genotype, phenotype, and allele frequencies of TAP1 gene also revealed no differences in distribution between patients and controls. Analysis of TAP2 gene polymorphisms showed increased frequencies of the TAP2*C allele and TAP2*A/TAP2*C genotype in atopic dermatitis patients compared to controls (P < 0.05). Distribution of LMP2 and LMP7 gene polymorphisms was similar for patients and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates an association of atopic dermatitis with HLA-A24 and TAP2*C alleles in Korean patients. Discrepancy with the previous reports might be related to different patient characteristics and ethnic variations.
Lee
H J
HJ
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Ha
S J
SJ
Han
H
H
Kim
J W
JW
D000071181:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2; D000071450:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D000071181:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2; D000071450:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D011506:Proteins; C073119:TAP1 protein, human; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; C071692:TAP2 protein, human; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C077436:LMP7 protein; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex