Transporter associated with antigen processing gene 1 codon 333 and codon 637 polymorphisms are associated with primary open-angle glaucoma.
BACKGROUND
Genetic factors in the immune system are widely suspected to have a role in the etiology of glaucoma. In this study, we evaluated the association between primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) gene polymorphisms. The TAP gene polymorphisms we evaluated were TAP1-1 codon 333 A/G (Ile-Val), TAP1-2 codon 637 (Asp-Gly), TAP2-1 codon 379 (Val-Ile), TAP2-2 codon 665 (Thr-Ala) and codon 687 (Stop-Gln), and TAP2-3 codon 565 (Ala-Tht). Due to the lack of predictive markers for glaucoma, many glaucoma patients are only diagnosed when their visual acuity and visual field has irreversibly deteriorated. Our aim was to confirm whether or not the TAP1 and TAP2 genes can be used to identify suspectability to glaucoma.


METHODS
Sixty-six patients with POAG and 105 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this case-control study. We resolved the TAP1 and TAP2 gene polymorphisms by PCR-based analysis.


RESULTS
There was a significant difference in the distribution of TAP1-1 codon 333 and TAP1-2 codon 637 gene polymorphisms (p = 0.0375 and 0.01, respectively) between POAG patients and healthy controls. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in TAP2-1 codon 370, TAP2-2 codon 665, and TAP2-3 codon 565 (p = 0.273, 0.19, and 0.131, respectively). In TAP1-1 codon 333, there was a significant difference between the "GG" homozygote and "GA" heterozygote (OR 4.32; 95% CI 1.336, 13.969). In TAP1-2 codon 637, there was a significant difference between the "GG" homozygote and "GA" heterozygote (OR 15; 95% CI 1.733, 129.860). There was also a significant difference between "GG" homozygote and "AA" homozygote (OR 10.8; 95% CI 1.286, 91.880). Therefore, TAP1-1 codon 333 and TAP1-2 codon 637 gene polymorphisms were useful genetic markers of POAG. The prevalence of the TAP1-2 "GG" homozygote differs significantly between POAG patients and healthy controls, although in the alleles of the both TAP genes, there were no significant differences between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The immune system acts as an arbiter to help determine whether under stress a neuronal cell will survive or sacrifice itself to injuries. TAP1-1 and TAP1-2 play an important role in the immune system. TAP1-1 and TAP1-2 gene polymorphisms may, by way of post-transcriptional changes and altered regulation of gene expression, be involve the immune system in the development of POAG.
Lin
Hui-Ju
HJ
Department of Ophthalmology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan..
Tsai
Chang Hai
CH
Tsai
Fuu-Jen
FJ
Chen
Wen-Chi
WC
Chen
Huey-Yi
HY
Fan
Seng-Sheen
SS
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*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D003062:Codon; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000235:genetics*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D000071181:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2; D000071450:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D003062:Codon; C073119:TAP1 protein, human; C071692:TAP2 protein, human