Identification and Structure of an MHC Class I-Encoded Protein with the Potential to Present N-Myristoylated 4-mer Peptides to T Cells.

Similar to host proteins, N-myristoylation occurs for viral proteins to dictate their pathological function. However, this lipid-modifying reaction creates a novel class of "lipopeptide" Ags targeted by host CTLs. The primate MHC class I-encoded protein, Mamu-B*098, was previously shown to bind N-myristoylated 5-mer peptides. Nevertheless, T cells exist that recognize even shorter lipopeptides, and much remains to be elucidated concerning the molecular mechanisms of lipopeptide presentation. We, in this study, demonstrate that the MHC class I allele, Mamu-B*05104, binds the N-myristoylated 4-mer peptide (C14-Gly-Gly-Ala-Ile) derived from the viral Nef protein for its presentation to CTLs. A phylogenetic tree analysis indicates that these classical MHC class I alleles are not closely associated; however, the high-resolution x-ray crystallographic analyses indicate that both molecules share lipid-binding structures defined by the exceptionally large, hydrophobic B pocket to accommodate the acylated glycine (G1) as an anchor. The C-terminal isoleucine (I4) of C14-Gly-Gly-Ala-Ile anchors at the F pocket, which is distinct from that of Mamu-B*098 and is virtually identical to that of the peptide-presenting MHC class I molecule, HLA-B51. The two central amino acid residues (G2 and A3) are only exposed externally for recognition by T cells, and the methyl side chain on A3 constitutes a major T cell epitope, underscoring that the epitopic diversity is highly limited for lipopeptides as compared with that for MHC class I-presented long peptides. These structural features suggest that lipopeptide-presenting MHC class I alleles comprise a distinct MHC class I subset that mediates an alternative pathway for CTL activation.

Genome-Wide Association Study in Asians Identifies Novel Loci for High Myopia and Highlights a Nervous System Role in Its Pathogenesis.

PURPOSE: To identify novel susceptibility loci for high myopia. DESIGN: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) followed by replication and meta-analysis. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 14 096 samples from East and Southeast Asian populations (2549 patients with high myopia and 11 547 healthy controls). METHODS: We performed a GWAS in 3269 Japanese individuals (1668 with high myopia and 1601 control participants), followed by replication analysis in a total of 10 827 additional samples (881 with high myopia and 9946 control participants) from Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan. To confirm the biological role of the identified loci in the pathogenesis of high myopia, we performed functional annotation and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We evaluated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with high myopia and GO terms enriched among genes identified in the current study. RESULTS: We identified 9 loci with genome-wide significance (P < 5.0 × 10-8). Three loci were previously reported myopia-related loci (ZC3H11B on 1q41, GJD2 on 15q14, and RASGRF1 on 15q25.1), and the other 6 were novel (HIVEP3 on 1p34.2, NFASC/CNTN2 on 1q32.1, CNTN4/CNTN6 on 3p26.3, FRMD4B on 3p14.1, LINC02418 on 12q24.33, and AKAP13 on 15q25.3). The GO analysis revealed a significant role of the nervous system related to synaptic signaling, neuronal development, and Ras/Rho signaling in the pathogenesis of high myopia. CONCLUSIONS: The current study identified 6 novel loci associated with high myopia and demonstrated an important role of the nervous system in the disease pathogenesis. Our findings give new insight into the genetic factors underlying myopia, including high myopia, by connecting previous findings and allowing for a clarified interpretation of the cause and pathophysiologic features of myopia at the molecular level.

A new MHC-linked susceptibility locus for primary Sjögren's syndrome: MICA.

The association of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) with Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) alleles is quintessential of MHC-disease associations. Indeed, although disease associations with classical HLA class I and II alleles/haplotypes are amply documented, further dissection is often prevented by the strong linkage disequilibrium across the entire MHC complex. Here we study the association of pSS, not with HLA genes, but with the non-conventional MHC encoded class I gene, MICA (MHC class I chain-related gene A). MICA is selectively expressed within epithelia, and is the major ligand for the activatory receptor, NKG2D, both attributes relevant to pSS' etiology. MICA-pSS association was studied in two independent (French and UK) cohorts representing a total of 959 cases and 1,043 controls. MICA*008 allele was shown to be significantly associated with pSS (pcor=2.61 × 10-35). A multivariate logistic regression showed that this association was independent of all major known MHC-linked risk loci/alleles, as well as other relevant candidate loci that are in linkage disequilibrium with MICA*008 i.e. HLA-B*08:01, rs3131619 (T), MICB*008, TNF308A, HLA-DRB1*03:01 and HLA-DRB1*15:01 (P = 1.84 × 10-04). Furthermore, independently of the MICA*008 allele, higher levels of soluble MICA proteins were detected in sera of pSS patients compared to healthy controls. This study hence defines MICA as a new, MHC-linked, yet HLA-independent, pSS risk locus and opens a new front in our understanding of the still enigmatic pathophysiology of this disease. The fact that the soluble MICA protein is further amplified in MICA*008 carrying individuals, might also be relevant in other auto-immune diseases and cancer.

Association between human leucocyte antigen alleles and risk of stroke in Iranian population.

Previous studies have demonstrated associations between human leucocyte antigen (HLA) and some types of ischaemic stroke. In the present study, we genotyped HLA-A,-B and -DRB1 alleles in 140 Iranian patients with history of ischaemic stroke and 140 age-/sex-matched healthy subjects. No significant difference has been found in the distribution of HLA-A and B alleles between cases and controls. The DRB1*16 allele was significantly over-represented in patient group compared with control group (Adjusted p value = 0.048). Other HLA-DRB1 alleles were not associated with stroke risk. The HLA-B*35,B*52 genotype was significantly more prevalent among patients compared with controls (Adjusted p value = 0.03, OR [95% CI] = 9.3 [1.3, 407.2]). Several HLA haplotypes were associated with risk of stroke in the assessed population. The current study provides further evidences for participation of HLA in conferring risk of ischaemic stroke.

Matching for the nonconventional MHC-I MICA gene significantly reduces the incidence of acute and chronic GVHD.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is among the most challenging complications in unrelated donor hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). The highly polymorphic MHC class I chain-related gene A, MICA, encodes a stress-induced glycoprotein expressed primarily on epithelia. MICA interacts with the invariant activating receptor NKG2D, expressed by cytotoxic lymphocytes, and is located in the MHC, next to HLA-B Hence, MICA has the requisite attributes of a bona fide transplantation antigen. Using high-resolution sequence-based genotyping of MICA, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical effect of MICA mismatches in a multicenter cohort of 922 unrelated donor HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DQB1 10/10 allele-matched HCT pairs. Among the 922 pairs, 113 (12.3%) were mismatched in MICA MICA mismatches were significantly associated with an increased incidence of grade III-IV acute GVHD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-2.23; P < .001), chronic GVHD (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.45-1.55; P < .001), and nonelapse mortality (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.24-1.46; P < .001). The increased risk for GVHD was mirrored by a lower risk for relapse (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.43-0.59; P < .001), indicating a possible graft-versus-leukemia effect. In conclusion, when possible, selecting a MICA-matched donor significantly influences key clinical outcomes of HCT in which a marked reduction of GVHD is paramount. The tight linkage disequilibrium between MICA and HLA-B renders identifying a MICA-matched donor readily feasible in clinical practice.

Comparative genomics of the human, macaque and mouse major histocompatibility complex.

The MHC is a highly polymorphic genomic region that encodes the transplantation and immune regulatory molecules. It receives special attention for genetic investigation because of its important role in the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses and its strong association with numerous infectious and/or autoimmune diseases. The MHC locus was first discovered in the mouse and for the past 50 years it has been studied most intensively in both mice and humans. However, in recent years the macaque species have emerged as some of the more important and advanced experimental animal models for biomedical research into MHC with important human immunodeficiency virus/simian immunodeficiency virus and transplantation studies undertaken in association with precise MHC genotyping and haplotyping methods using Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing. Here, in this special issue on 'Macaque Immunology' we provide a short review of the genomic similarities and differences among the human, macaque and mouse MHC class I and class II regions, with an emphasis on the association of the macaque class I region with MHC polymorphism, haplotype structure and function.

Genome-wide surveillance of mismatched alleles for graft-versus-host disease in stem cell transplantation.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) represents one of the major complications in allogeneic stem cell transplantation and is primarily caused by genetic disparity between the donor and recipient. In HLA-matched transplants, the disparity is thought to be determined by loci encoding minor histocompatibility antigens (minor H antigens), which are presented by specific HLA molecules. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify minor H antigen loci associated with aGVHD. A total of 500 568 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped for donors and recipients from 1589 unrelated bone marrow transplants matched for HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, and -DQB1, followed by the imputation of unobserved SNPs. We interrogated SNPs whose disparity between the donor and recipient was significantly associated with aGVHD development. Without assuming HLA unrestriction, we successfully captured a known association between HLA-DPB1 disparity (P = 4.50 × 10(-9)) and grade II-IV aGVHD development, providing proof of concept for the GWAS design aimed at discovering genetic disparity associated with aGVHD. In HLA-restricted analyses, whereby association tests were confined to major subgroups sharing common HLA alleles to identify putative minor H antigen loci, we identified 3 novel loci significantly associated with grade III-IV aGVHD. Among these, rs17473423 (P = 1.20 × 10(-11)) at 12p12.1 within the KRAS locus showed the most significant association in the subgroup, sharing HLA-DQB1*06:01. Our result suggested that a GWAS can be successfully applied to identify allele mismatch associated with aGVHD development, contributing to the understanding of the genetic basis of aGVHD.

Genomic sequence analysis of the MHC class I G/F segment in common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a New World monkey that is used frequently as a model for various human diseases. However, detailed knowledge about the MHC is still lacking. In this study, we sequenced and annotated a total of 854 kb of the common marmoset MHC region that corresponds to the HLA-A/G/F segment (Caja-G/F) between the Caja-G1 and RNF39 genes. The sequenced region contains 19 MHC class I genes, of which 14 are of the MHC-G (Caja-G) type, and 5 are of the MHC-F (Caja-F) type. Six putatively functional Caja-G and Caja-F genes (Caja-G1, Caja-G3, Caja-G7, Caja-G12, Caja-G13, and Caja-F4), 13 pseudogenes related either to Caja-G or Caja-F, three non-MHC genes (ZNRD1, PPPIR11, and RNF39), two miscRNA genes (ZNRD1-AS1 and HCG8), and one non-MHC pseudogene (ETF1P1) were identified. Phylogenetic analysis suggests segmental duplications of units consisting of basically five (four Caja-G and one Caja-F) MHC class I genes, with subsequent expansion/deletion of genes. A similar genomic organization of the Caja-G/F segment has not been observed in catarrhine primates, indicating that this genomic segment was formed in New World monkeys after the split of New World and Old World monkeys.

Targeted resequencing implicates the familial Mediterranean fever gene MEFV and the toll-like receptor 4 gene TLR4 in Behçet disease.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are a powerful means of identifying genes with disease-associated common variants, but they are not well-suited to detecting genes with disease-associated rare and low-frequency variants. In the current study of Behçet disease (BD), nonsynonymous variants (NSVs) identified by deep exonic resequencing of 10 genes found by GWAS (IL10, IL23R, CCR1, STAT4, KLRK1, KLRC1, KLRC2, KLRC3, KLRC4, and ERAP1) and 11 genes selected for their role in innate immunity (IL1B, IL1R1, IL1RN, NLRP3, MEFV, TNFRSF1A, PSTPIP1, CASP1, PYCARD, NOD2, and TLR4) were evaluated for BD association. A differential distribution of the rare and low-frequency NSVs of a gene in 2,461 BD cases compared with 2,458 controls indicated their collective association with disease. By stringent criteria requiring at least a single burden test with study-wide significance and a corroborating test with at least nominal significance, rare and low-frequency NSVs in one GWAS-identified gene, IL23R (P = 6.9 × 10(-5)), and one gene involved in innate immunity, TLR4 (P = 8.0 × 10(-4)), were associated with BD. In addition, damaging or rare damaging NOD2 variants were nominally significant across all three burden tests applied (P = 0.0063-0.045). Furthermore, carriage of the familial Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) mutation Met694Val, which is known to cause recessively inherited familial Mediterranean fever, conferred BD risk in the Turkish population (OR, 2.65; P = 1.8 × 10(-12)). The disease-associated NSVs in MEFV and TLR4 implicate innate immune and bacterial sensing mechanisms in BD pathogenesis.

Cost-efficient multiplex PCR for routine genotyping of up to nine classical HLA loci in a single analytical run of multiple samples by next generation sequencing.

BACKGROUND: HLA genotyping by next generation sequencing (NGS) requires three basic steps, PCR, NGS, and allele assignment. Compared to the conventional methods, such as PCR-sequence specific oligonucleotide primers (SSOP) and -sequence based typing (SBT), PCR-NGS is extremely labor intensive and time consuming. In order to simplify and accelerate the NGS-based HLA genotyping method for multiple DNA samples, we developed and evaluated four multiplex PCR methods for genotyping up to nine classical HLA loci including HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRB1/3/4/5, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DPB1. RESULTS: We developed multiplex PCR methods using newly and previously designed middle ranged PCR primer sets for genotyping different combinations of HLA loci, (1) HLA-DRB1/3/4/5, (2) HLA-DQB1 (3.8 kb to 5.3 kb), (3) HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, and (4) HLA-DPB1 (4.6 kb to 7.2 kb). The primer sets were designed to genotype polymorphic exons to the field 3 level or 6-digit typing. When we evaluated the PCR method for genotyping all nine HLA loci (9LOCI) using 46 Japanese reference subjects who represented a distribution of more than 99.5% of the HLA alleles at each of the nine HLA loci, all of the 276 alleles genotyped, except for HLA-DRB3/4/5 alleles, were consistent with known alleles assigned by the conventional methods together with relevant locus balance and no excessive allelic imbalance. One multiplex PCR method (9LOCI) was able to provide precise genotyping data even when only 1 ng of genomic DNA was used for the PCR as a sample template. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we have demonstrated that the multiplex PCR approach for NGS-based HLA genotyping could serve as an alternative routine HLA genotyping method, possibly replacing the conventional methods by providing an accelerated yet robust amplification step. The method also could provide significant merits for clinical applications with its ability to amplify lower quantity of samples and the cost-saving factors.

On the genetics of the Silk Route: association analysis of HLA, IL10, and IL23R-IL12RB2 regions with Behçet's disease in an Iranian population.

Despite that the association of Behçet's disease (BD) with the HLA-B5 was first established in the 1970s, a number of recent genome-wide association studies have both confirmed and furthered this association--in various populations--to individual SNPs both inside and outside the HLA. The former include HLA-B, MICA, and HLA-A, while the latter encompass IL10 and IL23R-IL12RB2 regions. The present study examined whether some of these SNPs could be replicated in an Iranian population, where the prevalence of disease is amply documented. Eight SNPs were selected and tested in 552 patients and 417 controls. These were rs7539328, rs12119179, rs1495965, rs1518111, and rs1800871 in IL10 and IL23R-IL12RB2 regions and rs114854070, rs12525170, and rs76546355 (formerly rs116799036) in the HLA locus. The well-known BD-associated genes HLA-B and MICA were independently genotyped. Although we were not able to formally replicate the association with IL10 and IL23R-IL12RB2, we do report that BD in Iran is strongly associated with HLA-B*51, MICA-A6, and the three HLA-linked SNPs (odds ratio (OR) = 3.38, P = 6.21 × 10(-14); OR = 2.08, P = 1.58 × 10(-13); and OR = 1.67-4.05, P = 1.45 × 10(-04) to 4.79 × 10(-34), respectively). Our data further indicate that the robust HLA-B/MICA association may be explained by a single variant (rs76546355) between the two genes. Overall, these data contribute to a better appraisal of the intriguing linkage between BD and the ancient Silk Route, spanning from the Mediterranean shores to Japan.

Genome-wide association study of IgA nephropathy using 23 465 microsatellite markers in a Japanese population.

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis in many parts of the world. Although previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified the major susceptibility loci for IgAN, the causal genes currently remain unknown. We performed a GWAS using 23 465 microsatellite (MS) markers to identify genes related to IgAN in a Japanese population. A pooled sample analysis was conducted in three-stage screenings of three independent case-control populations, and after the final step of individual typing, 11 markers survived. Of these, we focused on two regions on 6p21 and 12q21 because they (i) showed the strongest relationship with IgAN, and (ii) appeared to be highly relevant to IgAN in view of several previous studies. These regions contained the HLA, TSPAN8 and PTPRR genes. This study on GWAS, using >20 000 MS markers, provides a new approach regarding susceptible genes for IgAN for investigators seeking new tools for the prevention and treatment of IgAN.

Aggregation of rare/low-frequency variants of the mitochondria respiratory chain-related proteins in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Exome sequencings were conducted using 59 patients having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 93 controls. After stepwise filtering, 107 genes showed less than 0.05 of P-values by gene-burden tests. Among 107 genes, NDUFA7 which is a subunit of the complex I in the mitochondrial respiratory chain was selected for further analysis based on previous reports. A case-control study was performed on the three single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) of NDUFA7 with 432 cases and 432 controls. An association was observed between NDUFA7 and RA with severe erosive arthritis. These results together with previous reports suggested the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of RA. In the next step, four SNVs from three genes related to the mitochondrial respiratory chain were selected, which is a major source of ROS, and conducted a case-control study. An association was observed based on a pathway-burden test comprising NDUFA7, SDHAF2, SCO1 and ATP5O: P=1.56E-04, odds ratio=2.16, 95% confidence interval=1.43-3.28. Previous reports suggested the involvement of ROS in the pathogenesis of RA. The aggregation of SNVs in the mitochondria respiratory chain suggests the pivotal role of those SNVs in the pathogenesis of RA with severe erosive arthritis.

No contribution of the ABCB11 p.444A polymorphism in Japanese patients with drug-induced cholestasis.

European studies have revealed that the ABCB11 c.1331T>C (V444A) polymorphism (rs2287622) C-allele frequency is higher among patients with drug-induced cholestasis. Given the low incidence of this disease, however, this association has not been sufficiently elucidated. We aimed to investigate the significance of this polymorphism in Japanese patients. We determined ABCB11 V444A polymorphism frequencies and HLA genotypes in two independent drug-induced cholestasis cohorts. Expression and taurocholate transport activity of proteins from 444A variants were analyzed using Madin-Darby canine kidney II cells. In cohort 1 (n = 40), the V444A polymorphism C-allele frequency (66%) was lower than that in controls (n = 190, 78%), but this difference was not significant (P = 0.09). In cohort 2 (n = 119), comprising patients with cholestatic (n = 19), hepatocellular (n = 74), and mixed (n = 26) liver injuries, the C-allele frequency was lower among patients with cholestatic liver injury (68%) than among those with hepatocellular (75%) or mixed liver injury (83%), although this difference was not significant. In cohort 1, HLA-A*0201 was observed more frequently in patients (22%) than in controls [11%; P = 0.003; odds ratio, 2.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.4-4.0)]. Taurocholate transport activity of 444A-encoded protein was significantly lower than that of 444V-encoded protein (81% of 444V, P < 0.05) because of the reduced protein stability. In conclusion, ABCB11 444A had slightly reduced transport activity, but it did not contribute to the occurrence of drug-induced cholestasis in Japanese patients. Therefore, genetic susceptibility to acquired cholestasis may differ considerably by ethnicity.

Genetic variants on chromosome 1q41 influence ocular axial length and high myopia.

As one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness, myopia poses a significant public health burden in Asia. The primary determinant of myopia is an elongated ocular axial length (AL). Here we report a meta-analysis of three genome-wide association studies on AL conducted in 1,860 Chinese adults, 929 Chinese children, and 2,155 Malay adults. We identified a genetic locus on chromosome 1q41 harboring the zinc-finger 11B pseudogene ZC3H11B showing genome-wide significant association with AL variation (rs4373767, ß = -0.16 mm per minor allele, P(meta) =2.69 × 10(-10)). The minor C allele of rs4373767 was also observed to significantly associate with decreased susceptibility to high myopia (per-allele odds ratio (OR) =0.75, 95% CI: 0.68-0.84, P(meta) =4.38 × 10(-7)) in 1,118 highly myopic cases and 5,433 controls. ZC3H11B and two neighboring genes SLC30A10 and LYPLAL1 were expressed in the human neural retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and sclera. In an experimental myopia mouse model, we observed significant alterations to gene and protein expression in the retina and sclera of the unilateral induced myopic eyes for the murine genes ZC3H11A, SLC30A10, and LYPLAL1. This supports the likely role of genetic variants at chromosome 1q41 in influencing AL variation and high myopia.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and outcome risk in unrelated mismatched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: an exploration study.

Genetic risk factors contribute to adverse outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Mismatching of the HLA complex most strongly determines outcomes, whereas non-HLA genetic polymorphisms are also having an impact. Although the majority of HSCTs are mismatched, only few studies have investigated the effects of non-HLA polymorphisms in the unrelated HSCT and HLA-mismatched setting. To understand these effects, we genotyped 41 previously studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 2 independent, large cohorts of HSCT donor-recipient pairs (n = 460 and 462 pairs) from a homogeneous genetic background. The study population was chosen to pragmatically represent a large clinically homogeneous group (acute leukemia), allowing all degrees of HLA matching. The TNF-1031 donor-recipient genotype mismatch association with acute GVHD grade 4 was the only consistent association identified. Analysis of a subgroup of higher HLA matching showed consistent associations of the recipient IL2-330 GT genotype with risk of chronic GVHD, and the donor CTLA4-CT60 GG genotype with protection from acute GVHD. These associations are strong candidates for prediction of risk in a clinical setting. This study shows that non-HLA gene polymorphisms are of relevance for predicting HSCT outcome, even for HLA mismatched transplants.

Association of sick building syndrome with neuropathy target esterase (NTE) activity in Japanese.

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a set of several clinically recognizable symptoms reported by occupants of a building without a clear cause. Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is a membrane bound serine esterase and its reaction with organophosphates (OPs) can lead to OP-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) and nerve axon degeneration. The aim of our study was to determine whether there was a difference in NTE activity in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Japanese patients with SBS and healthy controls and whether PNPLA6 (alias NTE) gene polymorphisms were associated with SBS. We found that the enzymatic activity of NTE was significantly higher (P < 0.0005) in SBS patients compared with controls. Moreover, population with an AA genotype of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs480208, in intron 21 of the PNPLA6 gene strongly reduced the activity of NTE. Fifty-eight SNP markers within the PNPLA6 gene were tested for association in a case-control study of 188 affected individuals and 401 age-matched controls. Only one SNP, rs480208, was statistically different in genotype distribution (P = 0.005) and allele frequency (P = 0.006) between the cases and controls (uncorrected for testing multiple SNP sites), but these were not significant by multiple corrections. The findings of the association between the enzymatic activity of NTE and SBS in Japanese show for the first time that NTE activity might be involved with SBS.

Microsatellite genome-wide association study for mandibular prognathism.

INTRODUCTION: Attempts have been made to identify susceptibility genes of mandibular prognathism by genome-wide linkage studies, but the results of susceptibility loci are inconsistent. There has been no genome-wide association study of mandibular prognathism. Our objective was to perform a genome-wide association study using 23,465 microsatellite markers to detect mandibular prognathism susceptibility regions. METHODS: The study was based on the pooled DNA method, including 2 steps of screening on the whole genome and subsequent individual genotyping, with 240 experimental subjects and 360 control subjects from the Japanese population. RESULTS: Two suggestive associations on chromosomes 1q32.2 (D1S1358i: P = 4.22 × 10(-4)) and 1p22.3 (D1S0411i: P = 6.66 × 10(-4)) were shown, and PLXNA2 and SSX2IP were suggested to be candidate genes; 1p22.3 flanked the region indicated by previous linkage analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the genome-wide association study showed that 2 loci (1q32.2 and 1p22.3) are likely to be susceptibility regions of mandibular prognathism: 1p32.2 is a novel locus, and identification of 1p22.3 supports the results of previous linkage analysis.

HLA Association among Thai Patients with Diffuse and Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis.

This study aimed to clarify the association of HLA Class I and II with dcSSc and lcSSc in Thais. HLA typing for 11 gene loci (Class I: HLA-A, B and C, and Class II [HLA-DR, DP and DQ]) was carried out using the Next Generation DNA Sequencing method (three fields) in 92 Thai patients with systemic sclerosis (55 dcSSc, 37 lcSSc) and 135 healthy controls (HCs). The distribution of HLA alleles in patients with dcSSc and lcSSc was compared. When compared with HCs, the AF of A*24:02:01, A*24:07:01, B*27:04:01 and B*27:06 showed an increasing trend in lcSSc patients without statistical significance. DRB1*15:02:01, DRB5*01:02:01, DQA1*01:01:01, DQB1*05:01:24, DPA1*02:01:01 and DPB1*13:01:01 increased significantly in dcSSc patients. DQB1*05:01:24 and DPB1*13:01:01 also increased significantly in lcSSc patients, but less significantly than in dcSSc patients. The association of DPB1*05:01:01 with lcSSc was significantly protective. HLA-A*24:02:01, B*27:06 and C*03:04:01 formed a three-locus haplotype that also constituted an eight-locus haplotype with DRB1*15:02:01, DQA1*01:01:01, DQB1*05:01:24, DPA1*02:01:01 and DPB1*13:01:01. There was a possibility that HLA Class I would play a role in the pathogenesis of lcSSc, while Class II played more of a role in the dcSSc in Thai patients.

HLA-DQA1*01:03 and DQB1*06:01 are risk factors for severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 includes a wide range of manifestations, from mild symptoms to severe pneumonia. HLA system plays a pivotal role in immune responses to infectious diseases. The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between HLA and COVID-19 severity in a Japanese population. The study included 209 Japanese COVID-19 patients aged ≥20 years. Saliva samples were collected and used to determine the HLA genotype by HLA imputation through genome-wide association analyses. The association between HLA genotype and COVID-19 severity was then evaluated. The allele frequency was compared between patients with respiratory failure (severe group: 91 cases) and those without respiratory failure (non-severe group: 118 cases), categorising the data into three time periods: pre-Omicron epidemic period, Omicron epidemic period, and total period of this study (from January 2021 to May 2023). In comparing the severe and non-severe groups, the frequencies of the HLA-DQA1*01:03 (35.1% vs. 10.5%, odds ratio [OR] = 4.57, corrected p [pc] = 0.041) and -DQB1*06:01 (32.4% vs. 7.9%, OR = 5.54, pc = 0.030) alleles were significantly higher in the severe group during the pre-Omicron epidemic period. During the Omicron epidemic period, HLA-DQB1*06 (32.4% vs. 7.9%, OR = 5.54, pc = 0.030) was significantly higher in the severe group. During total period of this study, HLA-DQA1*01:03 (30.2% vs. 14.4%, OR = 2.57, corrected pc = 0.0013) and -DQB1*06:01 (44.5% vs. 26.7%, OR = 2.20, pc = 0.013) alleles were significantly higher in the severe group. HLA-DQB1*06:01 and -DQA1*01:03 were in strong linkage disequilibrium with each other (r2 = 0.91) during total period of this study, indicating that these two alleles form a haplotype. The frequency of the HLA-DQA1*01:03-DQB1*06:01 in the severe group was significantly higher than in the non-severe group during pre-Omicron epidemic period (32.4% vs. 7.9%, OR = 5.59, pc = 0.00072), and total period of this study (28.6% vs. 13.1%, OR = 2.63, pc = 0.0013). During Omicron epidemic period, the haplotype did not demonstrate statistical significance, although the odds ratio indicated a value greater 1. Frequencies of the HLA-DQA1*01:03 and -DQB1*06:01 alleles were significantly higher in severe COVID-19 patients, suggesting that these alleles are risk factors for severe COVID-19 pneumonia in the Japanese population.