title: Analysis of HLA-DQA, HLA-DQB frequencies in a group of Sardinian centenarians.
abstract: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, regulating type and intensity of the immune response, might influence life expectancy. In previous case-control studies the authors have demonstrated that both HLA-DR and -DQ alleles are not associated with longevity in the Sardinian population. On the other hand, association studies are subjected (as part of the homogeneity of the population in terms of geographic origin) to a number of possible confounding factors. Therefore, the authors typed the HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles in 24 sibs (age range 85 to 97) of 17 centenarians by PCR-SSP. Sib pair analysis showed nonsignificant differences between the observed and expected percentage of DQA* or DQB1* allele sharing. Therefore, these data strengthen the view that class II HLA genes have a marginal effect, if any, on the complex longevity trait.
authors.affiliation: Immunosenescence Unit, Department of Pathobiology and Biomedical Methodology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scola
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lio
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crivello
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Candore
authors.forename: Giusi Irma
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Forte
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colonna-Romano
authors.forename: Mario Giovanni
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pes
authors.forename: Ciriaco
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carru
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrucci
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deiana
authors.forename: Giovannella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baggio
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franceschi
authors.forename: Calogero
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caruso
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059848:HLA-DQ alpha-Chains; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D059848:HLA-DQ alpha-Chains; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; C069050:HLA-DQA1 antigen; C057615:HLA-DQbeta antigen