Association of human leukocyte antigens-DQB2/DPA1/DPB1 polymorphism and pulmonary tuberculosis in the Chinese Uygur population

Research progress on genetic control of host susceptibility to tuberculosis

The "Lübeck disaster", twins studies, adoptees studies, and other epidemiological observational studies have shown that host genetic factors play a significant role in determining the host susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and pathogenesis of tuberculosis. From linkage analyses to genome-wide association studies, it has been discovered that human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes as well as non-HLA genes (such as SLC11A1, VDR, ASAP1 as well as genes encoding cytokines and pattern recognition receptors) are associated with tuberculosis susceptibility. To provide ideas for subsequent studies about risk prediction of MTB infection and the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, we review the research progress on tuberculosis susceptibility related genes in recent years, focusing on the correlation of HLA genes and non-HLA genes with the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. We also report the results of an enrichment analysis of the genes mentioned in the article. Most of these genes appear to be involved in the regulation of immune system and inflammation， and are also closely related to autoimmune diseases.

Association of human leukocyte antigens-DQB2/DPA1/DPB1 polymorphism and pulmonary tuberculosis in the Chinese Uygur population

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is the second-leading cause of death globally. Genetic polymorphisms in human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-DQB2, HLA-DPA1, and HLA-DPB1 may partly explain individual differences in TB susceptibility.

METHODS

We performed a hospital-based case-control study to assess the genetic influence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HLA (HLA-DPA, HLA-DPB, and HLA-DQB) on the development of TB. There were 248 TB-infected cases and 340 healthy controls in this study.

RESULTS

The HLA-DQB2 rs7453920 genotype GG was applied as the reference group, the GA genotype was related to a considerably magnified risk of TB (GA vs. GG: adjusted OR = 1.547, 95% CI = 1.039-2.304, p = 0.032). Nevertheless, the other two SNPs were not associated with TB risk. Stratified analyses suggested that tobacco was associated with an increased risk of TB in HLA-DQB2 rs7453920 G>A.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that the functional HLA-DQB2 rs7453920 G>A polymorphism may contribute to the genetic susceptibility to TB. Nevertheless, the results were based on a limited sample size, and larger well-designed studies are expected to confirm these preliminary findings.