Association between total immunoglobulin E and antibody responses to naturally acquired Ascaris lumbricoides infection and polymorphisms of immune system-related LIG4, TNFSF13B and IRS2 genes

Clin Exp Immunol. 2009 Aug;157(2):282-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2009.03948.x.

Abstract

The 13q33-34 region harbours a susceptibility locus to Ascaris lumbricoides, although the underlying genes are unknown. Immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG confer protective immunity and here we sought to investigate in an endemic population whether LIG4, TNFSF13B and IRS2 genes influence IgE and IgG levels against Ascaris and the ABA-1 allergen as a putative resistance marker. Mite-allergic asthmatic patients were analysed for potential relationships between Ascaris predisposition and allergy. One thousand and sixty-four subjects from Cartagena, Colombia, were included. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using TaqMan assays. Antibody levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Linear and logistic regressions were used to model effects of genotypes on antibody levels. The GG genotype of LIG4 (rs1805388) was associated with higher IgE levels to Ascaris compared with other genotypes. TNFSF13B (rs10508198) was associated positively with IgG levels against Ascaris extract and IgE levels against ABA-1. In asthmatics, IRS2 (rs2289046) was associated with high total IgE levels. Associations held up after correction by population stratification using a set of 52 ancestry markers, age, sex and disease status. There was no association with asthma or mite sensitization. In a tropical population, LIG4 and TNFSF13B polymorphisms are associated with specific IgE and IgG to Ascaris, supporting previous linkage studies implicating the 13q33 region. Our results suggest that genes protecting against parasite infections can be different to those predisposing to asthma and atopy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood*
  • Ascariasis / genetics
  • Ascariasis / immunology*
  • Ascaris lumbricoides* / immunology
  • Asthma / genetics*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / microbiology
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / genetics
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • DNA Ligase ATP
  • DNA Ligases / genetics
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood*
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins / genetics
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • IRS2 protein, human
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
  • LIG4 protein, human
  • TNFSF13B protein, human
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • DNA Ligases
  • DNA Ligase ATP