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HLA-A, B and C and HLA-DR antigens in intrinsic and allergic asthma
Insights
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations with asthma subtypes were investigated. While no single antigen reached statistical significance, specific HLA types showed trends linked to allergic responses and asthma severity, warranting further study.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Asthma pathogenesis involves complex genetic and environmental factors.
- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes play a crucial role in immune regulation.
- Previous studies suggest potential links between HLA antigens and various immune-mediated diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association of HLA-A, B, C, and DR antigens with different asthma subtypes.
- To explore potential correlations between specific HLA alleles and allergic sensitization or disease severity.
Main Methods:
- HLA typing was performed on 103 asthma patients (intrinsic, extrinsic, Aspergillus fumigatus precipitins) and 100 healthy controls.
- Antigen frequencies were compared between patient groups and controls.
- Statistical analysis was conducted to identify significant associations after correcting for multiple comparisons.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant increase in any HLA-A, B, C, or DR antigen frequency was observed after correction.
- A trend showed increased B12 antigen in allergic asthmatics, potentially linked to IgE antibody production.
- A3/B7/DRw2 (in linkage disequilibrium) showed decreased frequency in intrinsic asthma.
- B8 and DRw3 showed a moderate increase in all asthma groups, particularly in patients with low atopy and persistent Aspergillus fumigatus antibodies.
Conclusions:
- While no single HLA antigen association reached statistical significance, specific HLA alleles display trends in different asthma subtypes.
- HLA-B12 may be associated with the ability to produce IgE antibodies in allergic asthma.
- HLA-A3/B7/DRw2 and HLA-B8/DRw3 may have roles in intrinsic asthma and allergic responses, respectively.
- Further detailed studies on these asthmatic subgroups are warranted to elucidate the role of HLA in asthma.
Abstract:
Some 103 patients with asthma and 100 healthy volunteers have been typed for HLA-A, B and C and HLA-DR antigens. The 103 patients consisted of thirty-three with intrinsic asthma, thirty-four with extrinsic asthma, and thirty-six known to have precipitins to Aspergillus fumigatus. No increase in frequency of any of the A, B, C, or DR antigens was found to be significant after correction for the number of comparisons was made. However certain trends comparable to findings in other immunopathic disorders were noted. For example B12 was increased in the allergic asthmatics (46 vs 29% controls) and it is suggested that B12 is associated with the ability to produce the IgE antibodies. A3/B7/DRw2 (which are in linkage disequilibrium) all show a decreased frequency in intrinsic asthma (24, 12 and 9% vs 32, 26 and 24% respectively in controls). Finally B8 and DRw3, which showed a moderate increase in frequency in all three groups of asthmatics, were found in five of seven patients with low atopy but persisting antibodies to A. fumigatus. Further detailed studies of these asthmatic subgroups is warranted.