Association of NRAMP 1 gene polymorphism with susceptibility to tuberculosis in Taiwanese aboriginals.
OBJECTIVE
The human homologue of mice natural-resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp 1) gene, NRAMP 1, has been reported to play a role in susceptibility to tuberculosis in humans. The aboriginal population in Taiwan has a five-fold higher prevalence of tuberculosis than people of Han ethnicity. Whether genetic factors such as NRAMP 1 polymorphism play a role in the prevalence of tuberculosis in Taiwanese aboriginals should be clarified.


METHODS
NRAMP 1 polymorphism was studied using a case-control design of patients with tuberculosis, including subjects of Han (Hans) and aboriginal ethnicity in Hualien, eastern Taiwan. The polymorphisms of NRAMP 1 at loci INT4, D543N, 77-385C/T, 3-UTR (CAAA) deletion and 5-(CA)n microsatellite markers were assessed by polymerase chain reaction on tissue DNA isolated from 105 aborigines and 110 Hans with tuberculosis. Comparable numbers of ethnically-matched controls were studied simultaneously.


RESULTS
Two NRAMP 1 polymorphisms, INT4 and 5-(CA)n, were significantly associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis in aboriginals (p = 0.0070 and p = 0.0031, respectively). However, no association was detected at the five loci of NRAMP 1 polymorphisms among Hans (p > 0.08).


CONCLUSIONS
Genetic variation in NRAMP 1 may affect susceptibility to and increase risk for tuberculosis in Taiwanese aboriginals. Although environmental factors play an important role in tuberculosis infection, genetic factors such as NRAMP 1 polymorphism may also contribute to the high prevalence of tuberculosis in Taiwanese aboriginals.
Hsu
Yung-Hsiang
YH
Department of Pathology, Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.
Chen
Chaio-Wei
CW
Sun
H Sunny
HS
Jou
Ruwen
R
Lee
Jen-Jyh
JJ
Su
Ih-Jen
IJ
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013624:Taiwan; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D000099173:Natural Resistance-associated Macrophage Protein 1
D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D000099173:Natural Resistance-associated Macrophage Protein 1