HLA-DR4 as a risk allele for autism acting in mothers of probands possibly during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether HLA-DR4 acts in the mother, possibly during pregnancy, to contribute to the phenotype of autistic disorder in her fetus.


METHODS
Transmission disequilibrium testing in case mothers and maternal grandparents.


METHODS
Previous studies have consistently shown increased frequency of HLA-DR4 in probands with autism and their mothers, but not their fathers. However, this has been documented only in case-control studies and not by a more direct study design to determine whether HLA-DR4 acts in mothers during pregnancy to contribute to autism in their affected offspring.


METHODS
We genotyped for HLA-DR alleles in members of 31 families with parents and maternal grandparents. Probands with autism were tested using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Western Psychological Services and Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised. There was 80% power to detect an odds ratio of 3.6. Participants were all families from New Jersey and were similar in number to earlier studies of autism and HLA-DR4.


METHODS
Analysis was by standard transmission disequilibrium testing. As a secondary test we examined the possibility of maternal imprinting.


RESULTS
Significant transmission disequilibrium for HLA-DR4 was seen (odds ratio, 4.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-16.24; P = .008) for transmissions from maternal grandparents to mothers of probands, supporting a role for HLA-DR4 as an autism risk factor acting in mothers during pregnancy. Transmission disequilibrium was not seen for HLA-DR4 transmissions from parents to probands or from mothers to probands.


CONCLUSIONS
The HLA-DR4 gene may act in mothers of children with autism during pregnancy to contribute to autism in their offspring. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.
Johnson
William G
WG
Department of Neurology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. wjohnson@umdnj.edu
Buyske
Steven
S
Mars
Audrey E
AE
Sreenath
Madhura
M
Stenroos
Edward S
ES
Williams
Tanishia A
TA
Stein
Rosanne
R
Lambert
George H
GH
D000483:Alleles; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D018392:Genomic Imprinting / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000235:genetics*
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains