Association between HLA genes and dust mite sensitivity in a Brazilian population

Background

Type I hypersensitivity, also known as IgE-mediated allergy, is a complex, multifactorial condition whose onset and severity are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Mite allergens stimulate the production of humoral response (IgE), especially in children, which is closely involved in atopic asthma and rhinitis.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the association between HLA class I (-A, -B, and -C), and HLA class II (-DRB1) genes in individuals sensitive to dust mites (Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, or Blomia tropicalis) and mite-insensitive controls.

Methods

396 participants were grouped as mite-sensitive and mite-insensitive according to immediate hypersensitivity as determined by skin-prick tests, and to HLA genotyping by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide (PCR-SSO).

Results

After chi-square heterogeneity testing no significant differences were observed in HLA-A, B, and C genes, except for the HLA-DRB1 locus, which, showed a negative association for DRB1104, between mite-sensitive and mite-insensitive individuals. In high resolution, DRB1104:11 allele was significantly different from all other results (P = 0.0042, OR = 0.26, and 95%CI = 0.09–0.70). The analysis stratified by etiologic agent confirmed these associations.

Conclusion

Our results suggest a possible association between HLA-DRB1 genes and hypersensitivity to dust mites.