HLA-DQ8 and the HLA-DQ8-DR4 haplotype are positively associated with the hevein-specific IgE immune response in health care workers with latex allergy

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 2002-09, Vol.110 (3), p.507-514
• Main Authors: Rihs, Hans-Peter, Chen, Zhiping, Ruëff, Franziska, Cremer, Reinhold, Raulf-Heimsoth, Monika, Baur, Xaver, Moneret-Vautrin, Denise Anne, Brüning, Thomas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Alleles; Allergens; Allergic diseases; Allergies; Antigens, Plant; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Asthma; Biological and medical sciences; Child; DQ8; DR4; Female; General aspects; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Gloves; Haplotypes; Health Personnel; hevein; Histocompatibility Testing; HLA-DP Antigens - immunology; HLA-DP Antigens - physiology; HLA-DQ Antigens - genetics; HLA-DQ Antigens - immunology; HLA-DQ Antigens - physiology; HLA-DQ beta-Chains; HLA-DQB10302; HLA-DR Antigens - genetics; HLA-DR Antigens - immunology; HLA-DR Antigens - physiology; HLA-DR4 Antigen - genetics; HLA-DRB1 Chains; HLA-DRB104; Humans; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunoglobulin E - immunology; Immunopathology; Latex allergy; Latex Hypersensitivity - etiology; Latex Hypersensitivity - genetics; Latex Hypersensitivity - immunology; Lectins - immunology; Male; Medical sciences; MHC class II association; Milk; Occupational Diseases - genetics; Occupational Diseases - immunology; Plant Lectins; Plant Proteins - immunology; Rubber products; Spinal Dysraphism - complications; Studies
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1067/mai.2002.127282

Background: Hevein is one of the most important latex allergens affecting health care workers (HCWs). Objective: Because the genetically determined susceptibility is one important factor regulating type I allergy, the association between the hevein-specific IgE immune response and HLA class II alleles of DQB1 and DRB1, DRB3, DRB4, and DRB5 was studied. Methods: The distribution of HLA-DQB1 and DRB1, DRB3, DRB4, and DRB5 in 269 HCWs with latex allergy, 56 latex-sensitized patients with spina bifida (SB), and 90 nonatopic control subjects under special consideration for hevein-specific IgE was examined. Results: Seventy percent (189/269) of the HCWs with latex allergy and 39% (22/56) of the latex-sensitized patients with SB had increased hevein-specific IgE antibody concentrations (>0.35 kU/L). HLA data analysis revealed significantly increased phenotype frequencies for DQB1*0302 (DQ8; 91/189 [48%]) and DRB1*04 (DR4; 102/189 [54%]) in hevein-positive HCWs with latex allergy compared with the 80 hevein-negative HCWs with latex allergy (DQB1*0302: 16/80 [20%], corrected P value [Pc] = 7.1 × 10−4; DRB1*04: 23/80 [29%], Pc = .01) and with control subjects (DQB1*0302: 16/89 [18%], Pc = 1 × 10−4; DRB1*04: 22/90 [24%], Pc = 3.2 × 10−4). The DQ8-DR4 haplotype frequency was significantly elevated in HCWs with hevein-specific IgE antibodies when compared with that in HCWs without hevein-specific IgE antibodies (47% vs 18%, Pc = 5.3 × 10−4) or control subjects (47% vs 18%, Pc = 9.6 × 10−4). In contrast, latex-sensitized patients with SB with hevein-specific IgE antibodies showed an increased but not significant DQB1*0302 frequency (7/22 [32%] vs 2/34 [6%], P = .02, Pc = not significant) compared with that seen in those without hevein-specific IgE antibodies. Conclusion: The DQB1*0302 (DQ8) alone, the DQB1*0302 (DQ8)-DRB1*04 (DR4) haplotype, or both are significantly involved in the hevein-specific IgE immune response in HCWs with latex allergy. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002;110:507-14.)