Distribution of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)-related HLA alleles correlates with the difference in IDDM incidence in four populations of the Eastern Baltic region |
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Authors: | S. Nejentsev,S. Koskinen,M. Sjö roos,H. Reijonen,E.I. Schwartz,L. Kovalchuk,A. Sochnev,B. Adojaan,T. Podar,M. Knip,O. Simell,M. Koskenvuo,H.K. Akerblom,J. Ilonen |
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Affiliation: | Turku Immunology Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland;Department of Virology. University of Turku, Turku, Finland;Department of Biotechnology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland;Department of Medical Genetics, St. Petersburg Paediatric Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia;Department of Immunology. Medical Academy of Latvia, Riga, Latvia;Hospital of Endocrinology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia;Department of Paediatrics. University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.;Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland;Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland;Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland |
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Abstract: | Abstract: The high incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in Finland contrasts strikingly with the low rates in the neighbouring populations of countries in the Eastern Baltic region: Estonia, Latvia and Russia. To evaluate the possible contribution of genetic factors to these differences, the frequencies of HLA-DQB1 alleles and relevant DQB1-DQA1 or DQB1-DRB1 haplotypes associated with IDDM risk or protection were analysed among IDDM patients and control subjects from these four populations. An increased frequency of HLA-DQBl*0302, DQB1*02-DQA1*05 and DQBl*0302-DRBl*0401 was observed in subjects with IDDM in all studied populations, whereas the prevalence of DQBl*0301 and DQBl*0602 and/or *0603 was decreased among patients. The degree of IDDM risk associated with HLA alleles analysed here did not differ significantly between the populations. Comparisons of the distribution of IDDM-related HLA alleles and haplotypes in the background populations revealed its consonance with IDDM incidence. The combined frequency of high risk genotypes was significantly higher among Finns than in other populations studied. Our data support the hypothesis that variance in the dispersion of HLA alleles is the genetic basis of variation of IDDM incidence observed in the Eastern Baltic region. |
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Keywords: | genetics HLA alleles incidence insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus |
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