ASSOCIATION OF HLA-DRB1 AND HLA-DQB1 ALLELES WITH SEASONAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS AND ATOPIC (POLLEN) BRONCHIAL ASTHMA
The distribution of HLA II (DRB1, DQB1) locus allelic frequencies have been studied in 61 Russian patients with pollen allergy. The allele frequencies of DRB1*15 and DRB1*08 were significantly higher in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, and the frequency of HLA-DQB1*05 was higher among patients with atopic (pollen) bronchial asthma. Conversely, HLA-DRB1*01, DQB1*03 were negatively associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis, and DRB1*13, DQB1*03, DQB1*06 were significantly decreased in asthmatics. The risk of atopic (pollen) bronchial asthma appearance in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis is negatively associated with DRB1*15 and DQB1*06 presence in genotype. The data of this study suggest that HLA II alleles may play an important role in seasonal allergic rhinitis and atopic asthma phenotype expression in patients with pollen allergy.