Human leukocyte antigens and Gaucher disease

Serum β2-microglobulin is frequently elevated in type 1 Gaucher patients

β₂-Microglobulin is the major prognostic factor in multiple myeloma, a known comorbidity of Gaucher disease. We evaluated herein serum β₂-microglobulin levels of 31 type 1 Gaucher patients; for 8/31 patients, pre- and post-treatment comparisons were made. Thirteen patients (on treatment = 6) had high levels of β₂-microglobulin, and showed higher chitotriosidase activity and Severity Score Index, and lower concentration of platelets, than patients with normal levels. Levels of β₂-microglobulin correlated with chitotriosidase activity (ρ = 0.65; p < 0.01), platelets (ρ = - 0.42; p = 0.02) and α1- (ρ = 0.43; p = 0.02) and α2-protein bands (ρ = - 0.40; p = 0.03). Regarding pre- and post-treatment values, median β₂-microglobulin levels decreased after treatment (pre- = 2931 ng/mL; post- = 1970 ng/mL; p < 0.01). Our data suggest that levels of serum β₂-microglobulin are frequently elevated in type 1 Gaucher patients, correlate with severity of the disease and decrease after treatment.

The association of human leukocyte antigen polymorphisms with disease severity and latency period in patients with silicosis

Background

Denim sandblasting may cause silicosis as a result of free crystalline silica inhalation. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, but autoimmunity may play a role in the development of silicosis. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and the severity and latency period of silicosis.

Methods

48 silicotic patients in the Eastern part of Turkey were classified according to their latency period and disease severity. The distribution of HLAs according to disease severity and latency period was assessed.

Results

A23 (7.5%), B49 (7.5%), and B51 (25%) were more common in the mild group than in the severe group, and B55 (8.9%) and DR4 (17.9%) were more common in the severe group than in the mild one. Only B51 was significantly more common in the mild group than in the severe one (25%, n = 10 vs. 7.1%, n = 4; p = 0.016).

Conclusions

This study suggests that HLA antigens may play a particular role in the severity of silica-induced lung disease, but there was no association between HLA and progression time of the disease.