T lymphocyte recognition of a celiac disease-associated cis- or trans-encoded HLA-DQ alpha/beta-heterodimer

The HLA-associated susceptibility to develop celiac disease may to a large extent be attributed to the combination of particular DQA1 and DQB1 genes, i.e., the DQA1*0501 and DBQB1*0201 alleles, located either in cis position (on the DR3DQw2 haplotype) or in trans position (DR5DQw7/DR7DQw2 heterozygous individuals). We report three alloreactive T lymphocyte clones that recognize an HLA-DQ alpha/beta heterodimer both when the DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201 alleles are located in cis or in trans position. Thus, the celiac disease associated DQA1 and DQB1 genes encode a functionally expressed DQ alpha/beta heterodimer.     

HLA class II DR and DQ genotypes and haplotypes associated with rheumatic fever among a clinically homogeneous patient population of Latvian children

The HLA system is being paid more and more attention because it is very significant in polymorphous immunological reactions. Several studies have suggested that genetic susceptibility to rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is linked to HLA class II alleles. We hypothesized that HLA class II associations within RHD may be more consistent if analysed amongst patients with a relatively homogeneous clinical outcome. A total of 70 RF patients under the age of 18 years were surveyed and analysed in Latvia. HLA genotyping of DQA1, DQB1 and DRB1 was performed using PCR with amplification with sequence-specific primers. We also used results from a previous study of DQB1 and DRB1 genotyping. In the RF patients, HLA class II DQA1*0401 was found more frequently compared to DQA1*0102. In the RF homogeneous patient groups, DQA1*0402 has the highest odds ratio. This is also the case in the multivalvular lesion (MVL) group, together with DQA1*0501 and DQA1*0301. In the chorea minor patients, DQA1*0201 was often found. Significant HLA DQA1 protective genotypes were not detected, although DQA1 genotypes *0103/*0201 and *0301/*0501 were found significantly and frequently. In the distribution of HLA DRB1/DQA1 genotypes, *07/*0201 and *01/*0501 were frequently detected; these also occurred significantly often in the MVL group. The genotype *07/*0201 was frequently found in Sydenhamn's chorea patients that had also acquired RHD, but DRB1*04/DQA1*0401 was often apparent in RF patients without RHD. In the distribution of HLA DQA1/DQB1 genotypes, both in RF patients and in the homogeneous patient groups, the least frequent were *0102/*0602-8. The genotype DQA1*0501 with the DQB1 risk allele *0301 was often found in the MVL group. The genotype *0301/*0401-2 was frequently found in the RF and Sydenhamn's chorea patient groups. The haplotype *07-*0201-*0302 was frequently found in RF and homogeneous patient groups, including the MVL group. In addition, haplotypes *04-*0401-*0301 and *04-*0301-*0401-2 were frequent amongst patients with Sydenhamn's chorea. The protective alleles DQA1*0102 and DQB1*0602-8 in the haplotype DRB1*15 were less frequently found in RF patients. The results of the present study support our hypothesis and indicate that certain HLA class II haplotypes are associated with risk for or protection against RHD and that these associations are more evident in patients in clinically homogeneous groups.     

HLA polymorphism in type 1 diabetes Tunisians

Several studies of the association between HLA and type 1 diabetes have been carried out revealing differences between ethnic groups. Our study, as part of the studies that should be performed about this association in the rest of the word, aims at elucidating the HLA DRB1, DQB1 polymorphism in Tunisian type 1 diabetes. This study includes 43 unrelated type 1 diabetes patients, and their mean age at onset is less than 15 years. Analysis of the frequency of alleles and haplotypes in these subjects, compared to a reference group (n = 101) led to the following results. 1) The Tunisian insulin-dependent diabetics present similarities as well as differences with other ethnic groups (Caucasians, North Africans). 2) The haplotype DRB1*04 DQ*0302 and DRB1*03 DQB1*0201 is positively associated to type 1 diabetes. 3) The heterozygotic genotype DRB1*04 DQB1*0302 / DRB1*03 DQB1*0201 is strongly associated to type 1 diabetes. 4) The haplotypes DRB1*01501 DQB1*0602 and DRB1*11 DQB1*0301 proved to be protective. In addition, the study of the subtypes DRB1*04 showed that alleles DRB1*0405 predispose to type 1 diabetes, whereas the allele DRB1*0403, which is in linkage disequilibrium with the DQB1*0402 in the Tunisian population, has a protective effect.     

Human leukocyte antigen and interleukin 2, 10 and 12p40 cytokine responses to measles: is there evidence of the HLA effect?

HLA class I and class II associations were examined in relation to measles virus-specific cytokine responses in 339 healthy children who had received two doses of live attenuated measles vaccine. Multivariate linear regression modeling analysis revealed suggestions of associations between the expression of DPA1*0201 (p=0.03) and DPA1*0202 (p=0.09) alleles and interleukin-2 (IL-2) cytokine production (global p-value 0.06). Importantly, cytokine production and DQB1 allele associations (global p-value 0.04) revealed that the alleles with the strongest association with IL-10 secretion were DQB1*0302 (p=0.02), DQB1*0303 (p=0.07) and DQB1*0502 (p=0.06). Measles-specific IL-10 secretion associations approached significance with DRB1 and DQA1 loci (both global p-values 0.08). Specifically, suggestive associations were found between DRB1*0701 (p=0.07), DRB1*1103 (p=0.06), DRB1*1302 (p=0.08), DRB1*1303 (p=0.06), DQA1*0101 (p=0.08), and DQA1*0201 (p=0.04) alleles and measles-induced IL-10 secretion. Further, suggestive association was observed between specific DQA1*0505 (p=0.002) alleles and measles-specific IL-12p40 secretion (global p-value 0.09) indicating that cytokine responses to measles antigens are predominantly influenced by HLA class II genes. We found no associations between any of the alleles of HLA A, B, and Cw loci and cytokine secretion. These novel findings suggest that HLA class II genes may influence the level of cytokine production in the adaptive immune responses to measles vaccine.     

MHC diversity in Caucasians, investigated using highly heterogeneous noncoding sequence motifs at the DQB1 locus including a retroviral long terminal repeat element, and its comparison to nonhuman primate homologues

Long terminal repeats (LTRs) are common retrovirus-related sequences spread throughout the human genome. We previously reported the human-specific integration of one LTR (DQLTR3) located 15 kb upstream of HLA DQB1. To elucidate the contribution of retroviral sequences to the variability and phylogenetic background of HLA DQB1 we investigated another LTR (DQLTR13), located 1.3 kb upstream of HLA DQB1, in German families, great apes, and Old World monkeys. Within German families, DQLTR13 presence was strongly linked to HLA DQB1*0302, *0303, and *0402 haplotypes. All other haplotypes had a low frequency or were devoid of DQLTR13. Phylogenetic analysis of DQLTR13 and adjacent nucleotide sequences in humans and non-human primates revealed a high degree of similarity and recent origin of HLA DQB1*0302, *0303, and *0402. Nevertheless, two lineages leading to DQB1*0301 and *0302 were generated by an ancient split of a DQB1*0301, *0302 progenitor. A third lineage consisting of DQB1*05/*06-related sequences may have evolved from the DQB1*0302 lineage, and a DQB1*0201-related sequence shared common ancestry with DQB1*0301. Among the human haplotypes, HLA DQB1*0201 and *0301 are linked to two different DQA1 alleles. Based on the small genetic distance of DQLTR13 as well as the adjacent sequences on these haplotypes, we suggest that a recent recombination is responsible for these associations. In the analysis of nonhuman primate species, we detected DQLTR13 in two lowland gorillas, dating the integration at at least 8 million years ago. We therefore conclude that noncoding sequences up to 1.3 kb upstream of DQB1 provide novel insight into the generation of MHC gene diversity.     

High resolution molecular typing of HLA class II region in the population of the island of Krk, Croatia

The HLA class II alleles (DRB1, DRB3, DRB5, DQA1, and DQB1) and haplotypic associations were studied in the population of the island of Krk using the PCR-SSOP method and the 12th International Histocompatibility Workshop primers and probes. Allele and haplotypic frequencies were compared with the general Croatian population. Significant differences were observed between the population of the island of Krk and Croatians for: a) three broad specificities at DRB1 locus (DRB1*01, *15, and *07), b) one allele at DRB3 locus (DRB3*0301), c) one allele at DQA1 locus (DQA1*0201), d) one allele at DQB1 locus (DQB1*0303). Four unusual haplotypic associations, which have not yet been described in the Croatian population, DRB1*1301-DQA1*0103-DQB1*0607, DRB1*1302-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0605, DRB1*1305-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0605 and DRB1*1305-DQA1*0103-DQB1*0603 were observed in the population from the island of Krk.     

用PCR-RFLP方法研究藏族HLA-DQA1和-DQB1基因多态性

应用目前HLA研究领域中成熟的,有效的PCR-RFLP基因分型技术,从DNA水平对藏族健康群体进行了HLA-DQA1(49人)和-DQB1(49人)基因分型,这在国内外属首次。所采用的PCR-RFLP基因分型技术是在HLA-DQA1和-DQB1各等位基因全部序列已知的情况下,对其第2个外显子碱基序列扩增进而进行RFLP分析的方法。这种方法得到的RFLP的所有片段都是已知序列,因而精确度很高,同时为发现新的等位基因提供了成熟而有效的分析方法。研究结果表明,在藏族DQA1的8个等位基因,DQA1*0301的基因频率最高(36.74％)。DQA1*0601(4.08％)、*0103(4.08％)和*0401(5.10％)最低。在DQB1的16个等位基因中,OQB1*0302(16.33％)、*0303(15.31％)和*0602(15.31％)为最常见,没有观察到*0504。统计分析表明,在DQA1各等位基因分布上,藏族与新疆汉族、北方汉族、上海汉族十分相近;与维吾尔族和哈萨克族也没有明显差异。在OQB1各等位基因的分布上,藏族与汉族、维族、哈族之间略有差异,而汉族、维族、哈族之间也存在一些差异。     

Distribution of HERV-LTR elements in the 5′-flanking region of HLA-DQB1 and association with autoimmunity

We established the detailed polymorphism of the 5'-flanking region and the first exon of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQB1 alleles. One hundred and forty-five Spanish rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 200 healthy voluntary blood donors from southern Spain along with 42 B-cell lines were analyzed for the presence of the retrovirus-derived long terminal repeats (LTRs) LTR3, LTR5, and LTR13. LTR3 positivity was always associated with certain DQB1 alleles, i.e., *0302, *0402, *0601, *0202, and *0305. Sequencing analysis of the 5'-flanking region of DQB1*0301, *0303 and *0502 alleles in homozygous B-cell lines showed the absence of LTR3 and a massive deletion of 5635 base pairs. The undetected deletion in the flanking region of some DQB1 alleles and a lack of stratification for HLA typing explain previously reported associations of the LTR3 element with RA and type I diabetes (IDDM). LTR5 showed identical distribution to LTR3, consistent with a previously suggested LTR3-LTR5 tandem arrangement. LTR13 positivity was associated with DQB1*0302, *0303, and *0402 alleles. Distributions of the LTR elements in all B-cell lines, RA patients, and controls could be explained entirely by linkage disequilibrium with DQB1 alleles, independently of the haplotypes carrying them. LTR elements are known to regulate gene expression. Therefore, a possible involvement of LTR13 in the association of DQB1*0302, *0303, and *0402 with IDDM requires further investigation. The sequencing results of the DQB1 first exon demonstrated that DQB1*0601 was generated by a recombination event between a DR53 and a non-DR53 haplotype. Our results shed new light on the phylogeny of the HLA region and the possible contribution of DQB1 to susceptibility to autoimmunity.     

Polymorphism at the ovine major histocompatibility complex class II loci

Southern hybridization analysis of the ovine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) ( MhcOvar ) class II region, using sheep-specific probes for the DQA1, DQA2, DQB and DRA loci, has revealed extensive polymorphism. DQA1 and DQAP had eight and 16 alleles respectively, DQB had six and DRA had three alleles. Little information was derived from the DRB locus owing to extensive cross-hybridization between the DRB probe and the DQB locus. Differences in allele frequency between breeds were revealed. At the DQA1 locus a null allele (DQA1-N) was observed with a frequency of between 27% and 45%, making this the most common DQA1 allele in all breeds examined. The frequency of DQA1-N homozygotes was between 11% and 18%, raising questions as to the functional significance of the DQA1 gene. Linkage analysis between the DQA1, DQA2, DQB and DRA loci did not reveal any recombination.     

HLA-DQ primarily confers protection and HLA-DR susceptibility in type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes studied in population-based affected families and controls.

The association between HLA-DR and -DQ and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in a defined high-incidence area was analyzed in a total of 58 population-based patients, representing 77% of IDDM patients with age at onset below 16 years, and in 92 unrelated parents in control families without IDDM. HLA haplotypes were confirmed by analyzing first-degree relatives in both groups. Seven different methods were used to analyze risk: (1) odds ratio, (2) absolute risk, (3) haplotype relative risk, (4) transcomplementation relative risk, (5) relative predisposing effects, (6) stratification analysis, and (7) test of predisposing allele on haplotype. DQB1*0302 indicated somewhat higher risk than did DR4, while DR3 had a higher risk than DQB1*0201; however, the 95% confidence intervals of the risk estimates overlapped. The positive association between IDDM and the DQB1*0201-DQA1*0501-DR3 haplotype seems to be due to DR3 or to an unknown linked gene. More important, DQA1*0301 was present among 93% of the patients, and this allele in various transcomplementation combinations with DQB1 alleles showed closer association to IDDM than did any other alleles. The strong negative association of the DQB1*0602 allele also in the presence of either DR4 or DQB1*0302 or both suggests that, in a high-risk population for IDDM, HLA-DQ primarily confers protection, perhaps by induction of tolerance. Consistent with known functions, HLA-DR may primarily confer susceptibility, perhaps by induction of autoreactive T lymphocytes.     

Specific amino acid residues in the second hypervariable region of HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 chain genes promote the Ro (SS-A)/La (SS-B) autoantibody responses

In order to define the HLA-DR and DQ alleles, as well as the specific DQA1 and DQB1 chain genes involved in the anti-Ro/La autoantibody responses, RFLP analysis and sequence-specific oligonucleotide typing was carried out on 58 Caucasians and 48 American blacks with SLE or Sj?gren's syndrome and anti-Ro antibodies. Among both Caucasian and black patients, the highest relative risk for the anti-Ro response (both with and without accompanying anti-La) was conferred by heterozygosity for the DQw2.1 (in linkage disequilibrium with HLA-DR3) and DQw6 (a subtype of DQw1) alleles compared with either 269 normal race-matched controls or 80 anti-Ro negative SLE/Sj?gren's syndrome patients. Analysis of individual DQA1 and DQB1 chain alleles revealed that DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201 were most frequent, followed by DQA1 and DQB1 alleles comprising DQw6. In patients not possessing DQw2.1 and/or DQw6 alleles, HLA-DQB1*0302 and HLA-DQA1*0401 (especially in blacks) were significantly increased. Nucleotide sequence analysis of these associated alleles showed that 100% of patients with anti-Ro had a glutamine residue at position 34 of the outermost domain of the DQA1 chain and/or a leucine at position 26 of the outermost domain of the DQB1 chain. Patients with anti-Ro plus La were more likely to have all four of their DQA1/DQB1 chains containing these amino acid residues than either anti-Ro-negative SLE patients or controls. These data implicate specific amino acid residues on both DQA1 and DQB1 chains located in the floor of the Ag binding cleft of the HLA-DQA1:B1 heterodimer and further suggest a role for "gene dosage" in the anti-Ro (+/- La) autoantibody response.     

Associations between HLA-DQB1 high-risk alleles and type I diabetes do not depend on cytomegalovirus antibody status at onset: a case-parent study conducted in Chile

The purpose of the present study is to ascertain whether the associations between HLA-DQB1*0201 and DQB1*0302 alleles and childhood diabetes depend on the presence of antibodies to human cytomegalovirus (CMV). A study of incident type I diabetes cases and parents was conducted in Santiago, Chile. HLA-DQB1 polymorphisms were determined in 85 case-parent trios (255 subjects), while the detection of CMV was carried out only in the incident cases. As expected, HLA-DQB1 polymorphisms are strongly associated with type I diabetes, with crude odds ratios of 3.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8-7.7) for the DQB1*0201 allele and 10.3 (95% CI 5.0-21.4) for the DQB1*0302 allele. In the subset of families with CMV+ cases, the odds ratios were estimated as 3.7 (95% CI 1.6-8.6) for the DQB1*0201 allele and 11.1 (95% CI 4.8-25.8) for the DQB1*0302 allele. In families with patients who tested negative for CMV antibodies, the odds ratios were calculated as 3.5 (95% CI 0.7-16.8) for the DQB1*0201 allele, and 8.0 (95% CI 1.8-34.7) for the DQB1*0302 allele. There was no evidence of statistical interaction between CMV antibodies and the DQB1*0201 allele (P value = 0.9) or the DQB1*0302 allele (P value = 0.7). In conclusion, alleles DQB1*0302 and DQB1*0201 do not display distinct associations with type I diabetes depending on the presence of antibodies for CMV.     

Visualizing human leukocyte antigen class II risk haplotypes in human systemic lupus erythematosus

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II alleles are implicated as genetic risk factors for many autoimmune diseases. However, the role of the HLA loci in human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unclear. Using a dense map of polymorphic microsatellites across the HLA region in a large collection of families with SLE, we identified three distinct haplotypes that encompassed the class II region and exhibited transmission distortion. DRB1 and DQB1 typing of founders showed that the three haplotypes contained DRB1*1501/ DQB1*0602, DRB1*0801/ DQB1*0402, and DRB1*0301/DQB1*0201 alleles, respectively. By visualizing ancestral recombinants, we narrowed the disease-associated haplotypes containing DRB1*1501 and DRB1*0801 to an approximately 500-kb region. We conclude that HLA class II haplotypes containing DRB1 and DQB1 alleles are strong risk factors for human SLE.     

MICA-A5.1 allele is associated with atypical forms of celiac disease in HLA-DQ2-negative patients

We selected 38 consecutive celiac disease (CD) patients (from a group of 316 consecutive CD patients) and 91 healthy blood donors, all of whom were HLA-DQ2 (DQA1*0501/DQB1*0201) negative, and investigated the presence of the classically associated alleles HLA-DQ8 and HLA-DRB4. We also studied the distribution of MICA transmembrane alleles in the two clinical forms of the disease. For this reason, these 38 DQ2-negative patients were subdivided into two groups: 18 typical CD patients and 20 atypical CD patients. No differences were found in the distribution of the DRB4 allele between DQ2-negative patients and controls. The HLA-DQ8 heterodimer (DQA1*03xx/DQB1*0302) was increased in CD patients (29%) compared with controls (10%), but no statistical differences were found. No differences were observed in the frequency of these alleles between either group of CD DQ2-negative patients. MICA-A5.1 was increased in atypical CD patients when compared with the typical forms of disease ( P(c)=0.03) and with healthy controls (P(c)=0.002). No other MICA allele was found to be significantly increased in the groups under study. The presence of MICA-A5.1 in atypical CD DQ2-negative patients may indicate a possible role of this allele in the development of CD.     

HLA—DQ分子遗传结构与中国人重症肌无力的相关性

重症肌无力与ＨＬＡⅡ类基因关联性在不同人种和民族中具有不同遗传易感性,为探讨中国人重症肌无力（ＭＧ）与ＨＬＡ０ＤＱ分子关联性,采用聚合酶链式反应－限制性片段长度多态性（ＰＣＲ－ＲＦＬＰ）方法,分析了５０例中国正常人及４９例重症肌无力患者的ＨＬＡ－ＤＱＡ１和－ＤＱＢ１座位的基因型,结果：共检出正常人ＤＱＡ１等位基因８种,ＤＱＢ１等位基因１０种,重症肌无力患者ＤＱＡ１等位基因８种,ＤＱＢ１等位基因９种     

HLA class II gene and haplotype diversity in the population of the island of Hvar, Croatia

The DRB1, DRB3, DRB5, DQA1 and DQB1 allele polymorphisms were analysed in 3 western and 3 eastern villages of the island of Hvar using PCR-SSOP method and 12th International Workshop primers and probes. Three DQB1 alleles (*0304, *0305, *0607) detected in the population of the island of Hvar (HP) have not yet been observed in general Croatian population (GCP). Significant differences were observed between two regions of Hvar for: a) DRB1*0701 allele (p < 0.001), b) DQA1*0201 allele (p < 0.01), and c) DRB1*0101-DQA1*0101-DQB1*0501 haplotypic association (p < 0.05). Two unusual haplotypic associations, which have not yet been described in general Croatian population (GCP), DRB1*0101-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0501 and DRB1*1501-DQA1 *0102-DQB1*0604 were observed in the population from the island of Hvar (HP). Measures of genetic kinship and genetic distances revealed isolation and clusterization which coincides with the known ethnohistorical, as well as biological and biocultural data obtained from a series of previous investigations. The five studied village subpopulations formed two clusters (East-West) to which the far eastern village (with the highest rii of 0.0407) joined later, thus indicating possible impact of historical immigrations from the mainland.     

The importance of HLA DQB1*0602 typing in Slovene patients with narcolepsy

The HLA class II region genes DQB1*0602 and DQA1*0102 are currently the best genetic predictors for narcolepsy in humans (1(. The aim of this study was to identify the HLA DQ alleles (DQB1*0602 and DQA1*0102) in Slovene sporadic narcoleptic patients. 11 patients who fulfilled ICSD criteria for narcolepsy entered the study. DRB1*1501 DQB1*0602 was present in all the patients while DQA1*0102 was absent in 2 patients. We propose that DQB1*0602 typing is important in diagnosing narcolepsy in Slovene patients