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HLA-DPB polymorphisms: Glu 69 association with sarcoidosis
P A Lympany1, M Petrek, A M Southcott
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Heart & Lung Institute, London, UK.
Summary
The HLA-DPB1 Glu 69+ allele is significantly more frequent in sarcoidosis patients, suggesting its role in antigen presentation for this granulomatous disease. This finding aids in understanding sarcoidosis pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Pathology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disorder marked by CD4+ T cell accumulation.
- Increased MHC molecule expression is observed in sarcoidosis, with specific MHC class II alleles potentially linked to the disease.
- Chronic beryllium disease (CBD), pathologically similar to sarcoidosis, shows an association with HLA-DPB1 Glu 69+.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify MHC class II alleles associated with sarcoidosis.
- To compare the frequency of HLA-DPB1 Glu 69+ and Glu 55+ alleles in sarcoidosis patients and controls.
Main Methods:
- Compared MHC class II allele frequencies in 41 sarcoidosis patients and 76 normal subjects.
- Utilized PCR and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes to analyze polymorphic regions of MHC class II.
- Assessed the presence of glutamine (Glu) at position 69 (Glu 69+) and position 55 (Glu 55+) on the HLA-DPB1 molecule.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in MHC class II or Glu 55+ allele frequencies were found between groups.
- A statistically significant increase (P=0.02) in the frequency of HLA-DPB1 Glu 69+ alleles was observed in sarcoidosis patients compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- The HLA-DPB1 Glu 69+ allele is significantly associated with sarcoidosis.
- This allele may play a crucial role in antigen presentation and recognition in chronic granulomatous diseases like sarcoidosis.