title: Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 gene polymorphisms are associated with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) molecule is an important regulator of T cell activation involved in the down-regulation of immune response. Polymorphisms within the CTLA-4 gene have been suggested to confer susceptibility to autoimmune endocrine disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to evaluate the impact of allelic variants of the CTLA-4 gene in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), the CT60 A/G SNP and the CTBC217_1 C/T SNP were studied in a population of Estonian origin, including 61 LADA patients and 230 controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that the CT60 GG genotype (p=0.004) and the CTBC217_1 TT genotype (p=0.007) were significant associated with LADA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our investigation revealed that not only type 1 diabetes but also LADA is associated with CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms. The role of CTLA-4 gene in the pathogenesis of LADA is open and needs further investigations.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Group, Institute of General and Molecular Pathology, University of Tartu, Ravila Str 19, Tartu 51014, Estonia.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Douroudis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Prans
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kisand
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nemvalts
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uibo