High serum IgE concentrations: association with HLA-DR and markers on chromosome 5q31 and chromosome 11q13.

Abstract

Linkage studies mapped a locus regulating total serum IgE concentrations in a noncognate fashion to chromosome 5q31 and a locus for atopy to chromosome 11q13. In contrast, antigen-driven IgE production seems to be largely controlled by major histocompatibility complex class II genes. We therefore analyzed the association between the phenotype of high IgE serum levels and six microsatellite markers on chromosomes 5q31 and 11q13, as well as HLA-DRB1, in a random sample of the adult East German population. One hundred twenty-nine persons identified as "cases" (serum IgE level > 200 kU/L) and 266 control subjects (serum IgE level < or = 200 kU/L) were genotyped for five 5q31 microsatellites (D5S436, D5S393, D5S210, IL-4, and IL-9) and an 11q13 microsatellite (FCERIB). Cases and controls were also typed for HLA-DRB1. Allele frequencies were compared between cases and controls by means of a two-sided Fisher's exact test. None of the markers was significantly associated although a weak association to the markers within the IL-9 gene and the FCER1B gene and to the HLA-DRB1*01 allele was found when specific IgE-positive cases were compared with negative controls. The weak associations observed after stratification for specific IgE might point to a contribution of genes in these regions to the development of allergy.