OBJECTIVETo investigate HLA-DRB1 gene polymorphism in patients with Keshan disease (KD) in the north of China, and its relation to KD in the core families.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-SSOP) method was used to determine HLA-DRB1 genotypes in 118 KD patients, including 63 with latent KD and 55 with chronic KD. Sixty-five normal from the same area were selected as controls. The haplotype based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) methods were used to analyze the genetic association and linkage of HLA-DRB1 with KD in 18 KD core families.

RESULTS(1) Thirteen kinds of alleles of HLA-DRB1 gene were found in all patients and the controls. (2) The distributive frequency of DR7 allele was significantly lower in chronic KD patients than that in controls (P< 0.01, OR is 0.1695). (3) The distributive frequency of DR7 allele was statistically lower in chronic KD (P< 0.01, OR is 0.091) and showed no differences in latent KD patients as compared with the controls. (4) DR15 allele of HLA-DRB1 gene showed significant association (chi square is 9.32, P< 0.01) and linkage (chi square is 7.40, P< 0.01) with KD patients in the core families.

CONCLUSIONThe results show that there might be the genetic susceptibility in the pathogenesis of KD. DR7 allele of HLA-DRB1 gene might be the protective gene of KD. Patients with DR7 allele might be more difficult to become to chronic KD. DR15 allele of HLA-DRB1 gene might be linked to the susceptive site of KD.