Related Experiment Videos
The influence of the HLA-DRB1*13 allele on measles vaccine response
M S Hayney1, G A Poland, R M Jacobson
1Mayo Vaccine Research Group, Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Background:
Measles remains a public health threat in the United States with over 50,000 cases being reported from 1989 through 1991 with continued smaller outbreaks. Measles vaccine failure is in part to blame for these large-scale outbreaks. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are important determinants of immune response to measles virus and vaccine. To examine the influence that HLA polymorphisms may have on measles vaccine antibody response, we compared the distribution of HLA-DRB1 alleles between measles vaccine nonresponders and hyper-responders.
Methods:
We determined the seroprevalence of measles antibody in 881 school children immunized with measles-mumps-rubella-II at age 15 months using a whole virus IgG EIA. We performed class II HLA-DR typing by PCR with sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) on 81 nonresponders (IgG seronegative) and 65 hyper-responders (from the upper 10th percentile of IgG levels of all subjects). We then compared the distribution of alleles between nonresponders and hyper-responders.
Results:
The distribution of HLA-DRB1 alleles among nonresponders compared to hyper-responders was significantly different (p = 0.014). Nonresponders were significantly less likely to carry the HLA-DRB1*13 alleles than were hyper-responders (7.4% vs 16.2%;p = 0.02). Nonresponders also had an excess of HLA-DRB1*07 alleles (15.4% vs 6.2%; p = 0.015).
Conclusions:
The absence of HLA-DRB1*13 alleles is associated with measles vaccine nonresponse. The absence of this allele has also been associated with susceptibility to other infectious diseases. The role of this gene in the immunogenetic response to infectious diseases requires further study.
Insights
Measles vaccine nonresponse is linked to specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene variations. The absence of HLA-DRB1*13 alleles was associated with poor antibody response to the measles vaccine.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Measles outbreaks persist in the U.S., partly due to vaccine failure.
- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes significantly influence immune responses to measles virus and vaccines.
- Understanding HLA gene polymorphisms is crucial for improving measles vaccine efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between HLA-DRB1 allele distribution and measles vaccine antibody response.
- To compare HLA-DRB1 allele frequencies in measles vaccine nonresponders versus hyper-responders.
Main Methods:
- Seroprevalence of measles antibody determined in 881 children using IgG EIA.
- Class II HLA-DR typing performed on 81 nonresponders and 65 hyper-responders using PCR-SSP.
- Comparison of HLA-DRB1 allele distribution between the two groups.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in HLA-DRB1 allele distribution were observed between nonresponders and hyper-responders (p = 0.014).
- Nonresponders were less likely to carry HLA-DRB1*13 alleles (7.4% vs 16.2%; p = 0.02).
- Nonresponders showed an excess of HLA-DRB1*07 alleles (15.4% vs 6.2%; p = 0.015).
Conclusions:
- Absence of HLA-DRB1*13 alleles is associated with measles vaccine nonresponse.
- This allele's absence may also correlate with susceptibility to other infectious diseases.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of HLA genes in immunogenetic responses to infectious diseases.