The association between HLA-DPB1Glu69 and chronic beryllium disease and beryllium sensitization.
BACKGROUND
Several case-control studies have found an association between chronic beryllium disease (CBD) and HLA-DPB1 gene variants. However, the relationship between HLA-DPB1 and beryllium sensitization, and whether the presence of one or two HLA-DPB1(Glu69) alleles is differentially associated with CBD and beryllium sensitization have not been completely resolved.


METHODS
Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was used to address these questions in a large population-based cohort consisting of 884 beryllium workers (90 with CBD, 64 beryllium sensitized).


RESULTS
HLA-DPB1(Glu69) was associated with both CBD (OR = 9.4; 95% CI = 5.4, 16.6) and sensitization (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.9, 5.9). Further, workers with CBD and sensitization were more likely to be homozygous HLA-DPB1(Glu69) compared to workers without disease or sensitization (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Follow-up of this cohort, scrutiny of HLA-DPB1 haplotypes, and evaluation of gene-environment and gene-gene interactions will be important for fully understanding the immunogenetic nature of this occupational disease.
McCanlies
Erin C
EC
Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
Ensey
James S
JS
Schuler
Christine R
CR
Kreiss
Kathleen
K
Weston
Ainsley
A
D000483:Alleles; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005838:Genotype; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059868:HLA-DP beta-Chains; D006801:Humans; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D006682:HLA-DP Antigens; D059868:HLA-DP beta-Chains; C071170:HLA-DPB1 antigen; D018698:Glutamic Acid