HLA class I and II in black children with hepatitis B virus-associated membranous nephropathy.
BACKGROUND
The pathogenetic mechanisms by which individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection develop membranous nephropathy (MN) are probably dependent on interactions between viral, host and environmental factors; some evidence suggests a genetic predisposition. HBVMN constitutes a major etiological group in black children with nephrotic syndrome. We therefore explored the HLA associations in black children with HBVMN.


METHODS
Thirty black children, age range 2 to 16 years, with biopsy-proven HBVMN, were the subjects of the study. HBV status was determined using third generation ELISA. HLA A, B and C antigens were determined using a two-stage lymphocytotoxic test. HLA DRB1* and DQB1* typing was done using sequence-specific primers. HLA class 1 and II antigen frequencies of the study subjects were compared to controls that were randomly chosen healthy blood donors from the same population.


RESULTS
HLA DQB1*0603 was increased in patients with HBVMN compared to controls (chi2 = 13.65, RR = 4.3). DRB1*07 and DQB1*02 were increased in frequency in the study subjects but failed to reach statistical significance. There was no significant difference in the frequencies of class 1 antigens in the study group compared to controls.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first report of HLA associations in black patients with HBVMN in whom Class 1 and 11 antigens were determined using molecular methodology. There was a high frequency of DQB1*0603 in subjects compared to controls, suggesting a possible genetic predisposition to the development of HBVMN.
Bhimma
Rajendra
R
Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, University of Natal, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Natal, South Africa. bhimma@nu.ac.za
Hammond
Mike G
MG
Coovadia
Hoosen M
HM
Adhikari
Mirriam
M
Connolly
Catherine A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000483:Alleles; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D010641:Phenotype; D012016:Reference Values
D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; C069051:HLA-DQB1 antigen; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; C456920:HLA-DRB1*07 antigen; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II