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Possible association between cockroach allergy and HLA class II antigens
Ayşe Füsun Kalpaklioğlu1, Münire Turan
1Allergy & Pulmonary Center, Başkent University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. afusunk@yahoo.com
Summary
Genetic markers like Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class II alleles are linked to atopy. Specific HLA-DRB1*0701 and HLA-DQB1*02 alleles were more common in atopic patients, suggesting a genetic predisposition to allergic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Allergic disease susceptibility involves genetic and environmental factors.
- Identifying genetic markers for atopy and asthma is crucial for risk assessment and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the association between Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class II alleles (DRB1 and DQB1) and atopy.
- Determine if specific HLA alleles are linked to cockroach sensitivity and allergic responses.
Main Methods:
- Measured total and specific immunoglobulin E levels.
- Performed skin prick tests for allergen sensitivity.
- Conducted HLA class II typing using Polymerase Chain Reaction with sequence-specific primers.
- Compared HLA genotypes between 32 cockroach-sensitive atopic patients and 32 nonatopic controls of Turkish Caucasian origin.
Main Results:
- Increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*0701 (31.3% vs 3.1%) and HLA-DQB1*02 (50% vs 15.6%) alleles in atopic patients compared to controls (Pc < 0.036 and Pc < 0.021).
- HLA-DRB1*15 allele was more prevalent in the control group.
- Found a significant association between cockroach sensitivity and reactivity to other aeroallergens (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Higher frequencies of HLA-DRB1*0701 and HLA-DQB1*02 alleles are likely associated with atopy itself, rather than specifically with cockroach allergy.
- Further research is needed to understand genetically determined susceptibility and the impact of specific HLA loci/alleles on allergen sensitivity in the Turkish population.