Association of HLA-DRB1 genotype with sensitivity to house dust mite

Son, Jee Woong; Chung, Jae Won; Lee, Byung Jae; Kim, Yun Keun; Cho, Sang Heon; Min, Kyung Up; Koh, Young Yull; Kim, You Young

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is known that HLA molecule can restrict specific IgE responses, but few studies have documented the association between HLA and sensitization to house dust mite(HDM).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether a specific HLA type can be a risk or protective factor for the development of HDM sensitivity. METHOD: Total 146 subjects were genotyped for HLA-DRB1 using PCR-SSP technique and HDM sensitivity, determined by skin prick test using two mite allergens, D. pteronyssinus (Dp) and D. farinae (Df). Subjects were grouped according to Dp or Df sensitivity and linkage analysis between HDM sensitivity and HLA-DRB1 genotype was performed.
RESULTS
The data revealed higher allele frequencies of DRB1*07 in Dp or Df sensitive groups compared to insensitive groups (11.6% vs. 2.6% in Dp, 11.5% vs. 3.3% in Df group, p<0.05), but the other allele frequencies showed no difference.
CONCLUSION
There was a significant association between HLA-DRB1*07 genotype and HDM sensitization. These results indicate that antigen presentation by HLA class II molecule restricts the development of specific IgE response to HDM.