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.
Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
Erin C
EC
McCanlies
James S
JS
Ensey
Christine R
CR
Schuler
Kathleen
K
Kreiss
Ainsley
A
Weston
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