TAP1 and TAP2 genes in nickel allergy

Area of Science:

• Immunogenetics
• Dermatology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Nickel allergy is a prevalent form of contact hypersensitivity.
• The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) genes (TAP1 and TAP2) are crucial for immune response by transporting antigens.
• Genetic variations in TAP genes may influence susceptibility to immune-mediated diseases, including allergies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between TAP1 and TAP2 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to nickel allergy.
• To determine if specific TAP2 alleles are risk factors for developing nickel hypersensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Case-control study involving 55 nickel-sensitive subjects and 54 non-sensitive controls.
• Genotyping of TAP1 and TAP2 genes using amplification refractory mutation system - polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR).
• Analysis of allele and phenotype frequencies, relative risk (RR), and etiological factor (EF) for TAP gene variants.

Main Results:

• Significant increase in TAP2B allele and phenotype frequencies in nickel-sensitive subjects compared to controls (p = 0.019 and 0.012).
• TAP2B showed a relative risk (RR) of 2.7 and an etiological factor (EF) of 0.46.
• A decreased allele frequency of TAP2C was observed in nickel-sensitive subjects (p = 0.016) with an RR of 0.18.

Conclusions:

• The TAP2B variant is associated with an increased risk of nickel allergy.
• The findings suggest a significant etiological role for TAP2B in nickel hypersensitivity.
• TAP gene polymorphisms are implicated in the genetic predisposition to nickel allergy.