Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 gene polymorphisms are associated with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) molecule is an important regulator of T cell activation involved in the down-regulation of immune response. Polymorphisms within the CTLA-4 gene have been suggested to confer susceptibility to autoimmune endocrine disorders. METHODS: In order to evaluate the impact of allelic variants of the CTLA-4 gene in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), the CT60 A/G SNP and the CTBC217_1 C/T SNP were studied in a population of Estonian origin, including 61 LADA patients and 230 controls. RESULTS: It was found that the CT60 GG genotype (p=0.004) and the CTBC217_1 TT genotype (p=0.007) were significant associated with LADA. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation revealed that not only type 1 diabetes but also LADA is associated with CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms. The role of CTLA-4 gene in the pathogenesis of LADA is open and needs further investigations.