Positive association between HLA-DRB1*07 and specific IgE responses to purified major allergens of D. pteronyssinus (Der p 1 and Der p 2).
OBJECTIVE
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II gene products are involved in the antigen presentation of exogenous antigens. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E responses to purified major allergens of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1 and Der p 2) were associated with genotypes of HLA-DRB1 alleles.


METHODS
Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from two groups of unrelated Korean adolescents: 168 subjects with positive skin response (wheal > or = 3 mm) to crude D. pteronyssinus allergens and 94 age-matched controls with negative skin response and low serum-specific IgE to crude D. pteronyssinus allergens. The former group was found to contain 104 with high serum-specific IgE to crude D. pteronyssinus allergens, 100 with high serum-specific IgE to Der p 1, and 122 with high serum-specific IgE to Der p 2. Genotypes of the HLA-DRB1 alleles were determined using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probes.


RESULTS
HLA-DRB1*07 was significantly higher in subjects with a high serum-specific IgE response to crude D. pteronyssinus allergens than the controls (16.3% vs 3.2%, odds ratio [OR] = 5.93, corrected P [Pc] = 0.02). The excess of DRB1*07 was more marked in those with high serum-specific IgE responses to Der p 1 or Der p 2 than the controls (20.0% vs 3.2%, OR = 7.58, Pc = 0.004; 18.9% vs 3.2%, OR = 7.05, Pc = 0.006). Among subjects with high serum IgE to Der p 1, DRB1*13 significantly increased than the controls (32.0% vs 13.8%, OR = 2.93, Pc = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
We clearly observed the association between HLA-DRB1 alleles and specific IgE responsiveness to D. pteronyssinus major allergens. The molecular mechanism of HLA-DRB1*07 and DRB1*13 involvement in D. pteronyssinus-specific IgE responsiveness awaits further investigation.
Kim
Yoon-Keun
YK
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Korea.
Oh
Sun-Young
SY
Oh
Heung-Bum
HB
Lee
Byung-Jae
BJ
Son
Jee-Woong
JW
Cho
Sang-Heon
SH
Kim
You-Young
YY
Min
Kyung-Up
KU
D000293:Adolescent; D000483:Alleles; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D007073:Immunoglobulin E