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[Relation of HLA antigens and myocardial infarction]
1Istanbul Universitesi Cerrahpaşa Tip Fakültesi Kardiyoloji Anabilim Dali.
Insights
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) types HLA-A2, HLA-DQ4, and HLA-DQ7 are associated with an increased tendency for coronary artery disease in the Turkish population. These HLA antigens may serve as valuable genetic markers for atherosclerosis risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Population Genetics
Background:
- Atherosclerosis development is linked to genetic predisposition and chronic inflammation.
- T-lymphocytes are prevalent in atherosclerotic lesions, suggesting a role for Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) antigens.
- Investigating HLA antigens as genetic markers for coronary artery disease (CAD) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between atherosclerosis and specific HLA antigens in patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (MI).
- To determine if certain HLA antigen profiles correlate with an increased risk of developing CAD.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 30 patients with acute MI and 30 healthy controls.
- Histocompatibility antigens (HLA-AB, -DR, -DQ) were analyzed using the lymphocytotoxicity method.
- Demographic and clinical data, including risk factors like hypertension and hyperlipidemia, were compared between groups.
Main Results:
- While general risk factors like smoking and diabetes were similar, patients with MI showed higher frequencies of hypertension, family history, and hyperlipidemia.
- Significantly higher frequencies of HLA-A2 (50% vs. 23%), HLA-DQ4 (63% vs. 20%), and HLA-DQ7 (90% vs. 50%) were observed in MI patients compared to controls.
- Logistic regression confirmed a significant association between the presence of these HLA antigens and the risk of MI.
Conclusions:
- The study concludes that HLA-A2, HLA-DQ4, and HLA-DQ7 are potential genetic markers for coronary artery disease susceptibility in the Turkish population.
- These findings highlight the importance of HLA typing in assessing genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.
- Further research is warranted to validate these markers across diverse populations.
Objective:
Genetic predisposition and chronic inflammation play the leading role in the early stages and in the development of atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that substantial amounts of T-lymphocytes are present in both early fatty lesions and advanced fibrous lesions in humans. This observation suggests that HLA antigens may be used as genetic markers for the tendency to coronary artery disease. The aim of our study was to investigate the relation of atherosclerosis and HLA antigens in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Methods:
Thirty consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (15 male, 15 female, aged 54+/-8 years) and 30 subjects (15 male, 15 female, aged 52+/-7 years) without evidence of coronary artery disease--according to physical, fundoscopic, electrocardiographic and radiological examination--were enrolled to the study. Histocompatibility antigens (HLA-AB, -DR, -DQ) were studied with lymphocytotoxicity method.
Results:
Age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, frequency of obesity and diabetes mellitus were similar between the two groups. In patients with myocardial infarction frequency of hypertension, family history and hyperlipidemia were significantly higher than the controls (p < 0.0003, p < 0.0001, p < 0.01 respectively). Frequency of HLA antigens in patients and in controls was 50% and 23% for HLA-A2, 63% and 20% for HLA-DQ4 and 90% and 50% for HA-DQ7. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relation with the disease and the presence of these antigens (p = 0.02, p = 0.02 and p = 0.03 respectively).
Conclusions:
It is concluded that in the Turkish population presence of HLA-A2, HLA-DQ4 ve HLA-DQ7 (3) may be used as genetic markers for the tendency to coronary artery disease.