HLA-DRB1 allele frequency and immunological response in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Turkish population

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a complex, polygenic and multifactorial disease. The relationship between Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) polymorphisms and sleep disturbances has been established, but the relationship with HLA alleles has not been fully clarified. In addition, sleep deprivation in OSAS patients can cause changes that affect the components and responses of the immune system.

The aim of this study has assessed the effect of HLA-DRB1 alleles on OSAS disease and the changes occurring in immune response cells in Turkish population.

OSAS was diagnosed by polysomnography and severity was determined. PCR SSP and flow cytometry methods were used.

We found that DRB1*07 and DRB1*11 were significantly increased in the control group and DRB1*03 and DRB1*08 alleles in the patient group in our study (P = 0.048, P = 0.005, P = 0.012 and P = 0.030, respectively). DRB1*08 was significantly increased in patients with severe OSAS (P = 0.002). When the immunological response was examined in OSAS patients, there was a decrease in CD4, an increase in HLA DR, CD8 and NK cells (P = 0.002, P = 0.00, P = 0.020, P = 0.040, respectively). We also found that CD19 was reduced in severe OSAS (P = 0.048).

These results suggest that the DRB1*03 allele may play a predisposing role in OSAS disease and that the DRB1*08 allele may be related to the severity of the disease. In addition, the decrease in CD4, CD8, NK and HLA DR increase in this disease suggests that the disease causes impairment of the immunological system and may be associated with autoimmunity.