Association of HLA class II alleles with childhood asthma and total IgE levels

Asthma is a complex and multifactorial disorder. Several studies have reported association between different HLA- DQB1 and HLA- DRB1 alleles and allergic asthma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of HLA-class II alleles and haplotypes, with total serum IgE and the results of the skin prick test in Iranian children with allergic asthma. A total of 112 patients with allergic asthma symptoms [75 males and 37 females] were selected randomly from the pediatric hospital. In some patients total serum IgE and prick test were determined. Data of this study shows that HLA-DRB1*12 significantly increased in asthmatic patients [4.5% vs. 0%, P-value=0.04]. HLA-DQB1*0603 and 0604 alleles were significantly higher in asthmatics than those in normal controls [10% vs. 0%, P-value= 0.0001; and 9.3% vs. 3.7%, P-value= 0.04, respectively]. The statistical significance was relinquished after p value correction for all alleles except for HLA-DQB1*0602 [Pc=0.03] and HLA-DQB1*0603 [Pc=0.0015]. Conversely, HLA-DQB1*0501 and 0602 were decreased in asthmatics compared to normal controls [7.5% vs. 13.5%, P-value= 0.05; and 4% vs. 12.5%, P-value= 0.002, respectively]. The mean of total IgE in patients was 483 IU, and it was significantly high about 1140 IU in asthmatic patients with positive skin prick test to house dust. The most frequent alleles in asthmatic patients with the total IgE>200 IU/mL were HLA-DRB1*11and 1401, HLA-DQA1*0505, HLA-DQB1*0301 and in patients with total IgE<200 IU/mL were HLA-DRB1*0301, 07 and 1301, HLADQA1*0201 and 0301, HLA-DQB1*0201. These data suggests that HLA-DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 alleles and haplotypes might be implicated in susceptibility to allergy and asthma and serum IgE production. As asthma and atopy are multifactorial disorders, probably HLA genes are involved in the regulation of immune specific responses to common allergen

HLA class II allele and haplotype frequencies in Iranian patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and control group

Previous studies have demonstrated some significant differences in HLA allele frequencies in leukemic patients and normal subjects. We have analyzed HLA class II alleles and haplotypes in 60 Iranian patients with acute myelogenous leukemia [AML] and 180 unrelated normal subjects. Blood samples were collected after obtaining informed consents. From the patients and control DNA extraction and HLA typing were performed using PCR-SSP method. Significant positive association with the disease was found for HLA-DRB1*11 allele [35% vs. 24.7%, p=0.033]. Two alleles including HLA-DRB4 and -DQB1*0303 were found to be significantly decreased in patients compared to controls. Regarding haplotype analysis, no significant association was found between case and control groups. It is suggested that HLA-DRB1*11 allele plays as a presumptive predisposing factor while the HLA-DRB4 and -DQB1*0303 alleles are suggested as protective genetic factors against acute myelogenous leukemia. Larger studies are needed to confirm and establish the role of these associations with acute myelogenous leukemia

Cytokine gene polymorphisms in iranian patients with beta-thalassemia major

beta-thalassemia as a hereditary disease is defined as defective synthesis of beta -globin chains, resulting in erythropoiesis abnormalities and severe anemia. Different studies have shown that cytokines and cytokine gene polymorphisms play a major role in the pathogenesis of beta -thalassemia. Single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] within the promoter region or other regulatory sequences of cytokine genes lead to overall production of cytokines. To analyze the genetic profile of Thl and Th2 cytokines in Iranian patients with beta -thalassemia major. Allelic and genotype frequencies of cytokine genes were determined in 30 thalassemia patients and 40 healthy subjects using PCR-SSP assay. Allele and genotype frequencies were calculated and compared with those of normal controls. The results of our study show a significant decrease in A allele at position UTR 5644 IFN-y, G alleles at position -238 TNF-oc and 166 IL-2, and C allele at position -590 IL-4. TGF- beta haplotype TG/TG increased whereas TGF- beta haplotype CG/CG and IL-10 haplotype GCC/ACC decreased significantly in all patients. Data of this investigation suggest that variations among cytokine gene polymorphisms may contribute to the disease susceptibility. A finding which needs to be fairly clarified in other ethnic groups