J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2000 Sep;39(5):889-897.

Association between Korean Schizophrenics and HLA-DRB1 Alleles

• Hwang NY
• Kim JW
• Oh HB
• Cho JH
• Oh SY
• Hong JP
• Park JI
• Lee DE

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
A genetic predisposition is widely accepted in schizophrenia. This study was intended to find any association of HLA-DRB1 alleles with Korean schizophrenics and thereby compare the results of other ethnic groups.
METHODS
The subjects were 70 unrelated Korean patients. Low and high resolution typing of HLA-DRB1 alleles were performed. The comparison groups were 2,000 unrelated healthy Koreans for low resolution HLA-DR and 229 unrelated healthy Koreans for HLA-DRB1 alleles.
RESULTS
Gene frequencies of HLA-DR11(patients 9.0%, healthy control 3.8%, p=0.005) and HLA-DRB1*1101(patients 9.0%, healthy control 1.8%, p< .001) were significantly higher in Korean schizophrenics.
CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of HLA-DR11 (HLA-DRB1*1101) is significantly higher in Korean schizophrenics than in healthy Koreans. HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR1, which were known to be associated with Caucasian and Japanese schizophrenics, respectively, did not show statistical association with Korean schizophrenics. This association need to be reassured through further studies with families or association study with larger numbers of subjects.

Keyword

Schizophrenia; HLA-DRB1; Association study

MeSH Terms

Alleles*
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Ethnic Groups
Gene Frequency
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
HLA-DR Antigens
HLA-DR1 Antigen
HLA-DR4 Antigen
HLA-DRB1 Chains*
Humans
Schizophrenia
HLA-DR Antigens
HLA-DR1 Antigen
HLA-DR4 Antigen
HLA-DRB1 Chains