HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (9) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Goverdhan, S. V. Articles by Lotery, A. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Goverdhan, S. V. Articles by Lotery, A. J.

Association of HLA Class I and Class II Polymorphisms with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

¹From the Human Genetics Division and the ⁵MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; the ²Southampton Eye Unit, and ³Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Southampton University Hospitals, Southampton, United Kingdom; and the ⁴Center for Macular Degeneration, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

PURPOSE. To evaluate whether HLA genotypes are associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

METHODS. HLA class I-A, -B, and -Cw and class II DRB1 and DQB1 principal allele groups were genotyped in two stages: initially for principal allele groups in a cohort of 100 AMD cases and 92 control subjects, and then, in the next 100 cases and controls from the same cohort, for alleles or allele groups with P < 0.1 on initial typing. Genotype frequencies were compared by 2 x 2 contingency tables. The strongest associations for individual HLA alleles were calculated with two-locus stratification analysis and logistic regression for all possible pair-wise HLA combinations. Bonferroni corrections were applied for multiple measurements (P_c). Each HLA allele was subjected to logistic regression for known AMD covariates. HLA immunohistochemistry for class I antigens was performed on elderly donor eyes.

RESULTS. Allele Cw*0701 (P = 0.004, P_c = 0.036) correlated positively with AMD, whereas alleles B*4001 (P = 0.003, P_c = 0.027) and DRB1*1301(P = 0.001, P_c = 0.009) were negatively associated. These HLA associations were independent of any linkage disequilibrium. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated differential HLA class I expression in choriocapillary endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS. Significant positive and negative associations exist between HLA alleles and AMD. HLA polymorphisms influence the development of AMD, possibly via modulating choroidal immune function.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. O. Edwards, D. Chen, B. L. Fridley, K. M. James, Y. Wu, G. Abecasis, A. Swaroop, M. Othman, K. Branham, S. K. Iyengar, et al. Toll-like Receptor Polymorphisms and Age-Related Macular Degeneration Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., April 1, 2008; 49(4): 1652 - 1659. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Kanda, G. Abecasis, and A. Swaroop Inflammation in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration Br. J. Ophthalmol., April 1, 2008; 92(4): 448 - 450. [Full Text] [PDF]