OBJECTIVETo study the genetic polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)- A, B, C, DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1and DPB1among ethnic Hans from southern China.

METHODS481 randomly selected individuals were genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence-based typing (SBT) method for the above genes. Their allele frequencies were determined by direct counting.

RESULTSIn total, 28 HLA-A, 57 HLA-B, 28 HLA-C, 40 HLA-DRB1, 18 HLA-DQA1, 17 HLA-DQB1, 6 HLA-DPA1and 21 HLA-DPB1alleles were identified. Among these, common alleles (with allelic frequencies > 0.05) included A*1101, A*2402, A*0207, A*3303, A*0201, B*40:01, B*46:01, B*58:01, B*13:01, B*15:02, C*01:02, C*07:02, C*03:04, C*03:02, C*08:01, C*03:03, C*04:01, DRB1*09:01, DRB1*15:01, DRB1*12:02, DRB1*08:03, DRB1*03:01, DRB1*04:05, DRB1*11:01, DQA1*01:02, DQA1*03:02, DQA1*03:03, DQA1*06:01, DQA1*01:03, DQA1*05:05, DQA1*01:04, DQA1*03:01, DQA1*05:01, DQB1*03:01, DQB1*03:03, DQB1*06:01, DQB1*05:02, DQB1*03:02, DQB1*02:01, DQB1*03:02, DQB1*06:02, DPA1*02:02, DPA1*01:03, DPA1*02:01, DPB1*05:01, DPB1*02:01, DPB1*13:01, DPB1*04:01and DPB1*02:02.For each of the locus, the overall frequencies of common alleles were 75.57%, 52.81%, 78.28%, 62.16%, 86.70%, 77.23%, 95.32% and 81.59%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe allelic frequencies of the 8 selected HLA loci among ethnic Hans from southern China may served as a reference for anthropology, legal medicine, transplantation and disease association studies.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Genotyping Techniques ; methods ; HLA-A Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-C Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DP Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; genetics ; HLA-DQ beta-Chains ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; genetics ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; genetics ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II ; genetics ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of human leukocyte antigen DQ gene polymorphisms with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) among ethnic Han Chinese from Wenzhou region.

METHODSFifty couples with URSA (URSA group) and 66 couples with normal pregnancy history (control group) were recruited. The alleles of HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction with specific sequence primers (PCR-SSP) in all subjects. The frequency distribution of HLA-DQ alleles, odds ratios (OR) between each group and sharing of HLA-DQ alleles were calculated.

RESULTSThe frequency distribution of HLA-DQB1*03:03 allele in the females with URSA was significantly higher than that healthy females (21.00% vs. 9.85%, OR=2.433, 95%CI: 1.232-4.894, χ(2)=5.657, P<0.05). The HLA-DQB1*05:03 allele was present among the healthy females with a frequency of 3.03%, and was not detected among females with URSA. For both males and females, the HLA-DQB1*05:02 allele were only typed in control group with frequencies of 6.06% and 5.30%, respectively. The sharing of HLA-DQA1 alleles in couples with URSA was increased compared with the control group (70.27% vs. 44.64%, OR=2.931, 95%CI: 1.216-7.067, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe increased sharing of HLA-DQA1 alleles may contribute to the susceptibility of URSA among ethnic Han Chinese from Wenzhou region. The allele of HLA-DQB1*03:03 in the females may be predisposing factor for URSA. However, the HLA-DQB1*05:02 allele in both gender and HLA-DQB1*05:03 allele in females may confer a protective effect.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; ethnology ; genetics ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; ethnology ; genetics ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; genetics ; HLA-DQ beta-Chains ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo observe the correlation between constitution of yin deficiency syndrome (YDS) and polymorphism of HLA-DQA1/treatment response of Peg-lFNalpha therapy in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and to explore constitution of Chinese medicine (CM) in response of interferon therapy.

METHODSTotally 120 HBeAg positive CHB patients who were treated with Peg-IFNalpha were enrolled, and assigned to YDS group (59 cases) and non-YDS group (61 cases) according to classification of CM constitutions. All patients were subcutaneously injected with Peg-IFNalpha-2b (1.0 microg/kg body weight) or Peg-IFNalpha-2a (180 microg), once per week. Effective efficacy was primarily judged when complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) was obtained at month 6. Those with CR or PR completed 1 year therapeutic course. HLA-DQA1 gene types were detected by polymerase chain reaction sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP). The distribution difference of CM constitutions in patients with CR or PR and their inter-group HLA-DQA1 allele frequency were compared.

RESULTSDifferent treatment responses of Peg-IFNalpha were observed in CHB patients of two different CM constitutions. The ratio of CR + PR was 61.0% (36/59) in YDS group, obviously lower than that in NYDS group [78.7% (48/61), P < 0. 05]. Patients with CR had a lower allele frequency of HLA-DQA1 * 0501 than those with no-response [14.8% (8/54) vs. 30.6% (22/72)] with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Patients with CR had a higher allele frequency of HLA-DQA1 * 0601 than those with no-response [18.5% (10/54) vs. 5.6% (4/72)] with statistical difference (P < 0.05). The allele frequency of HLA-DQA1 * 0301 was lower in YDS group than in non-YDS group [2. 5% (3/118) vs. 9.8% (12/122)] with statistical difference (P < 0.05). The allele frequency of HLA-DQA1 * 0501 was higher in YDS group than in non-YDS group [33.9% (40/118) vs. 18.9% (23/122)] with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Yet statistical significance was lost after adjustment (Pc > 0.05 for both).

CONCLUSIONSBoth constitutions of CM and HLA-DQA1 gene polymorphism af- fect HBeAg positive CHB patients' response to Peg-INFalpha. Constitutions of YDS and HLA-DQA1 * 0501 was not favorable to response, their association needed to be further studied.

Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Gene Frequency ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; genetics ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Remission Induction ; Yin Deficiency ; genetics

BACKGROUNDKeshan disease (KD) is an endemic cardiomyopathy in China. The etiology of KD is still under debate and there is no effective approach to preventing and curing this disease. Young women of child-bearing age are the most frequent victims in rural areas. The aim of this study was to determine the differences between molecular pathogenic mechanisms in male and female KD sufferers.

METHODSWe extracted RNA from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of KD patients (12 women and 4 men) and controls (12 women and 4 men). Then the isolated RNA was amplified, labeled and hybridized to Agilent human 4×44k whole genome microarrays. Gene expression was examined using oligonucleotide microarray analysis. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was also performed to validate our microarray results.

RESULTSAmong the genes differentially expressed in female KD patients we identified: HLA-DOA, HLA-DRA, and HLA-DQA1 associated with spontaneous autoimmunity; BMP5 and BMP7, involved in cardiomyocyte differentiation defect; and ADAMTS 8, CCL23, and TNFSF15, implicated in anti-angiogenic activities. These genes are involved in the canonical pathways and networks recognized for the female KD sufferers and might be related to the pathogenic mechanism of KD.

CONCLUSIONOur results might help to explain the higher susceptibility of women to this disease.

ADAM Proteins ; genetics ; ADAMTS Proteins ; Adult ; Autoimmunity ; genetics ; physiology ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 5 ; genetics ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; genetics ; Cardiomyopathies ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; physiology ; Chemokines, CC ; genetics ; Enterovirus Infections ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; HLA-D Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; genetics ; HLA-DR alpha-Chains ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Sex Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 15 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of rs9272346 polymorphism of HLA-DQA1 gene with clinical outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in ethnic Han population from Hubei, China.

METHODSA case-control study was conducted, which have involved 1028 unrelated subjects including 238 asymptomatic HBV carriers (AHC), 173 acute liver failure (ALF), 292 liver cirrhosis (LC) and 325 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Genotypes of rs9272346 were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction with a TaqMan MGB probe. Statistical results were analyzed using Chi square test, student's t test and unconditional logistic regression.

RESULTSNo significant differences were detected in the frequencies of G allele between ALF, LC, HCC and AHC groups (P= 0.312, 0.314, 0.264). Compared with the AA genotype, the GG and GA genotypes were not associated with the patients groups under the dominant model: ALF group vs. AHC group (adjusted OR= 1.08, 95%CI: 0.7-1.68), LC group vs. AHC group (adjusted OR= 1.11, 95%CI: 0.87-1.26), HCC group vs. AHC group (adjusted OR= 0.93, 95%CI: 0.65-1.33). For women, the GG and GA genotypes have conferred a protective effect for the outcome of ALF (OR= 0.30, 95%CI: 0.1-1.87).

CONCLUSIONOur results suggested that rs9272346 polymorphism of HLA-DQA1 may not independently influence the outcome of HBV infection in ethnic Han Chinese in Hubei, while the GG and GA genotypes may confer a protective effect against ALF in women.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; genetics ; Hepatitis B ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo analyze the status of HLA-DPA1 and DPB1 matching for unrelated donor-recipient pairs matched at high-resolution allele level for HLA-A, B, C, DRB1 and DQB1 loci.

METHODSA total of 76 unrelated donor-recipient pairs matching at allele level for HLA-A, B, C, DRB1 and DQB1 loci were subjected to HLA-DPA1 and DPB1 sequence-based typing (SBT). HLA-DPA1and DPB1 matching status at high-resolution allelic level was also analyzed.

RESULTSThe allelic identity ratio for single HLA-DPA1 and DPB1 were 17.1% and 9.2%, respectively. HLA-DPA1 and DPB1 allelic identity ratio were both very low. The majority of unrelated donor-recipient pairs (73.7%) had an incompatibility at 1 HLA-DPA1 allele, 9.2% of pairs had an incompatibility at 2 DPA1 alleles. As for the high-polymorphic HLA-DPB1 gene, 57.9% of studied donor-recipient pairs had an incompatibility at 1 HLA-DPB1 allele, almost 1/3 (32.9%) of them were completely incompatible. When HLA-DPA1 and DPB1 genes were analyzed together, the donor-recipient pairs matched at 2/4 was the most common (51.4%), 4/4 allelic complete matched pairs accounted for 5.6%, and 0/4 matched pairs accounted for 8.3%.

CONCLUSIONOur results indicated that the ratio of HLA-DPA1 and DPB1 complete match in the unrelated donor-recipient pairs matching at allelic level for HLA-A, B, C, DRB1 and DQB1 loci were very low. The effect of HLA-DPA1 and DPB1 matching status on clinical unrelated stem cell transplantation still needs to be elucidated.

Alleles ; HLA-DP alpha-Chains ; genetics ; HLA-DP beta-Chains ; genetics ; HLA-DQ beta-Chains ; genetics ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; genetics ; Histocompatibility Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Transplantation ; methods ; Unrelated Donors

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between HLA-DQA1 gene copy number polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk in Chinese population, and the interaction of those genes and environmental factors.

METHODSThe genotype of HLA-DQA1 gene copy number polymorphisms was determined in 343 patients with gastric cancer and 330 controls by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the impact of this polymorphism on the risk of developing gastric cancer and the gene-environment interaction.

RESULTSCompared with 0 copy of HLA-DQA1 gene carriers, the 2 copies of HLA-DQA1 gene carriers had a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer (OR = 1.87, 95%CI = 1.15 - 3.06, P = 0.012). Gene-environment interaction of HLA-DQA1 gene copy number polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori infection significantly increased the risk of gastric cancer in a multiplicative manner, with an OR of 3.89 (95%CI = 1.75 - 8.57, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSHLA-DQA1 gene copy number polymorphism is associated with gastric cancer susceptibility, and there is a multiplicative gene-environment interaction between this polymorphism and Hp infection in the development of gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; genetics ; Helicobacter Infections ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; immunology ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo study on the correlation between chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers (ASC) of yin asthenia constitution and genotypes of HLA-DRB1 and HLA DQA1 alleles.

METHODSTotally 105 ASC were assigned to two groups according to their constitutions, i.e., the yin asthenia group (47 cases) and the non-yin asthenia group (58 cases). The genotypes of HLA-DRB1 and HLA DQA1 alleles were determined using PCR-SSP.

RESULTSThe gene frequency of HLA-DRB1 * 09 allele and HLA-DQA1 * 0301 allele (being 12.1% and 19.1%) were obviously lower in the yin asthenia group than in the non-yin asthenia group (being 27.8% and 39.7%, P < 0.05). The gene frequency of HLA-DRB1 * 11 allele and HLA-DQA1 * 0501 allele were obviously higher in the yin asthenia group (being 12.1% and 28.7%) than in the non-yin asthenia group (4.3% and 9.5%), showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHLA-DRB1 * 09 allele and HLA-DQA1 * 0301 allele might be the molecular bases for non-yin asthenia patients with ASC. HLA-DRB1 * 11 allele and HLA-DQA1 * 0501 allele might be the molecular bases for yin asthenia patients with ASC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carrier State ; Constitution and Bylaws ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between anti-sperm antibody-positive immune infertility patients and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DQA1 gene, and to study the correlation between the treatment of Chinese medicine and pharmacy and HLA-DQA1 genotype.

METHODSThe polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) technique was used in studying HLA-DQA1 genotypes of 51 anti-sperm antibody-positive immune infertility patients and 60 healthy subjects. Mianbu III (consisting of rehmannia root, white peony root, Fructus Comi, yam, barbary wolfberry fruit, moutan bark, and dwarf lilyturf root) was used in patients for three months.

RESULTSThe HLA-DQA1 *0401 allele in the immune infertility group was obviously higher than that in the healthy control group (chi2 = 29.869, P < 0.01). As for the therapeutic efficacy 22 cases of the 27 positive HLA-DQA1 * 0401 turned to negative with statistical difference (chi2 = 5.24, P = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONHLA-DQA1 *0401 allele might be predisposing gene of the anti-sperm antibody-positive immune infertility. The Chinese medicinal treatment was effective for the HLA-DQA1 *0401 allele patients.

Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; genetics ; Humans ; Infertility ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the Chinese medicine constitution types and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQA1 gene polymorphism in patients with hepatitis B (HB) virus infection in Chinese Han population of Zhejiang Province, for exploring the roles of constitution factor in pathogenesis of HB.

METHODSA total of 240 subjects, including 120 biopsy-proven chronic HB (CHB), 60 HB asymptomatic carrier (ASC) and 60 resolved from HBV infection spontaneously (RHBS) were studied. Their Chinese medicine constitution type was judged by Wangqi's classification, and their genotype of HLA-DQA1 was detected by polymerase chain reaction sequence specific primer for comparing the difference between groups in distribution frequency (DF) of constitution types and genes.

RESULTS(1) As compared with the RHBS group, DF of yin-deficiency constitution and phlegm-dampness constitution in the CHB group was significant higher (20.0% vs. 6.7% and 12.5% vs. 1.7%), and that of placid constitution was significant lower (11.7% vs. 31.7%), showing statistical significance between groups (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.16-10.60; OR = 8.4, 95% CI: 1.09-65.42; OR = 0.161, 95% CI: 0.076-0.34; all P < 0.05). (2) As compared with the ASC group, DF of damp-heat constitution was significant higher (24.2% vs. 6.7%, P < 0.05, OR = 4.462, 95% CI: 1.49-13.36), and that of placid constitution was significant lower (11.7% vs. 45.0%, P < 0.01, OR = 0.285, 95% CI: 0.13-0.62) in the CHB group. (3) As compared with RHBS group, DF of HLA-DQA1 * 0201 allele in CHB group was significant higher (38.3% vs. 5.8%, P < 0.01, OR = 10.04, 95% CI: 4.48-22.48); and that of HLA-DQA1 * 0102 allele was significant lower (9.6% vs. 36.7%, P < 0.01, OR = 0.183, 95% CI: 0.10-0.32). (4) As compared with ASC group, DF of HLA-DQA1 * 0201 allele in CHB group was significant higher (38.3% vs. 7.5%, P < 0.01, OR = 7.667, 95% CI: 3.7-15.87), and that of HLA-DQA1 * 0102 allele was significant lower (20.0% vs. 9.6%, P < 0.01, OR = 0.424, 95% CI: 0.23-0.79).

CONCLUSIONBoth Chinese medicine constitution and HLA-DQA1 gene polymorphism show connection with the outcomes of HB virus infection in Chinese Han population, but the real association between them is required for further study.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Body Constitution ; Carrier State ; virology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; genetics ; Hepatitis B ; diagnosis ; genetics ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Young Adult