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HLA antigens in asthmatic children
M Gerbase-DeLima1, C A Gallo, S Daher
1Department of Pediatrics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil.
Summary
Brazilian children with asthma and dust mite allergies showed a higher frequency of the HLA-DQ2 antigen. This finding may indicate a genetic predisposition in pediatric asthma related to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus sensitization.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Pediatric Allergy
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children, often triggered by environmental allergens.
- Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) is a major indoor allergen implicated in allergic asthma.
- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes play a crucial role in immune responses to allergens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between specific HLA-DR and HLA-DQ antigen frequencies and pediatric asthma.
- To determine if HLA antigen profiles differ in Brazilian children with allergic sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study involving 30 asthmatic children sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.
- Analysis of HLA-DR and HLA-DQ antigen frequencies using serological typing.
- Comparison of antigen frequencies between the patient group and a control group.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher frequency of the HLA-DQ2 antigen was observed in asthmatic children compared to controls (60% vs. 34%, p = 0.013).
- The relative risk (R.R.) for carrying HLA-DQ2 was 2.8 in the patient group.
- No significant differences were found for HLA-DR antigens (data not shown in abstract).
Conclusions:
- The HLA-DQ2 antigen may be associated with an increased susceptibility to developing allergic asthma in Brazilian children sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.
- These findings suggest a potential genetic component influencing immune responses to common aeroallergens in pediatric asthma.