Immunoglobulin heavy chain switch region polymorphisms are not associated with type 1 diabetes |
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Authors: | B A Millward G A Hitman P G Cassell J A Sachs K I Welsh A G Demaine |
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Affiliation: | Department of Molecular Immunogenetics, Guy's Hospital, London, UK. |
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Abstract: | In order to ascertain whether the immunoglobulin heavy chain genes are important in the aetiology of Type 1 diabetes, we have used restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of genomic DNA to study 148 Caucasoid subjects with Type 1 diabetes and 146 normal Caucasoid subjects. A DNA probe homologous to the switch regions for the IgM (S mu) and IgA1 (S alpha 1) genes when used in conjunction with the restriction endonuclease Sst I detects RFLPs at both these loci. There were no significant differences in phenotype or gene frequencies for the alleles of S mu or S alpha 1 in the patients when compared with control subjects; nor were there significant associations of S mu or S alpha 1 with HLA-DR type or gender. |
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Keywords: | Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent) RFLP Autoimmunity Immunoglobulin heavy chain genes |
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