[Polymorphism of short tandem repeat of exon 5 of MHC class-I chain related gene A and association with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a southern Chinese population].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the association between the short tandem repeat polymorphism of exon 5 of MICA gene (MICA-STR) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a southern Chinese population.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-seven consecutive NPC patients and 112 randomly selected normal controls residing in southern China mainland were analyzed for MICA-STR allelic variation and MICA gene deletion by fluorescent polymerase chain reaction-gene scanning and polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific priming.


RESULTS
MICA*A9 was observed at significantly higher frequency in the NPC patient group than in the control group (relative risk = 2.524, P = 0.001,Pc = 0.006); whereas MICA*A5.1 was present at significantly lower frequency in the NPC patient group than in the control group (RR = 0.418, P = 0.0004, Pc = 0.0026). Further analysis revealed that MICA*A9 was over-represented in male NPC patients, compared with male controls (RR = 3.23, P = 0.00095, Pc = 0.006); whereas MICA*A5.1 was present at significantly lower frequency in male NPC patients, compared with male controls (RR = 0.372, P = 0.0007, Pc = 0.004). None of the MICA-STR variants showed statistically significant frequency difference between female NPC patients and female controls (Pc > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
MICA-STR polymorphism is associated with NPC, and MICA*A9 is a genetic susceptibility marker of male individuals for NPC in a southern Chinese population.
Tian
Wei
W
Department of Immunology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China.
Luo
Qi-zhi
QZ
Li
Li-xin
LX
Jin
He-kun
HK
Wang
Fan
F
Guo
Shi-shi
SS
Cao
Ya
Y
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D002681:China; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C099187:MHC class I-related chain A