Contribution of HLA alleles in the regulation of antibody production in lyme disease

Abstract

A small subset of patients infected with Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) does not produce Bb specific antibody. Our research provides additional evidence of a genetic predisposition for seronegativity in some individuals with Lyme disease. Because human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II, a heterodimeric glycoprotein, plays an essential role in the regulation of antibody production, we investigated the difference in HLA genes between seropositive and seronegative patients with Lyme disease (LD). Our results show that HLA-DR7 was associated with anti-Bb antibody production. Nine out of the 22 seropositive LD patients (40.9%) had HLA-DRB1*0701, *0703, *0704 (HLA-DR7); only 1 out of the 18 seronegative LD patients (5.6%) had HLA-DR7 (odds ratio (OR)=11.8, P=0.0126). HLA-DRB1*01021 and HLA-DRB1*0101, *0104, *0105 (HLA-DR1) contributed negatively to anti-Bb antibody production. Seven of 18 seronegative LD patients had HLA-DR1, only 1 of 22 seropositive LD patients had HLA-DR1 (38.9% vs. 4.5%, OR=13.4, P=0.0138). These results suggest that the presence and or lack of production of specific antibody to Bb infection may be associated with particular HLA specificities of the Class II.

Human HLA-DR Transgenes Protect Mice from Fatal Virus-Induced Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Demyelination

“…In contrast, prominent MHC class II associations have not been observed in another parasitic infection, malaria (54). In spirochete infection resulting in Lyme's disease, HLA-DR7 allele is associated with highest antibody production against Borrelia burgdorferi (55).…”

Borrelia burgdorferi – A potentially aetiological factor in TMJ disorders? Preliminary report

“…Negative serological tests for antibodies to Borrelia spirochaetes may be due to: sequestration of antibodies in immunological complexes, stage of the disease (disease that is initial or too advanced), individual variation of host immunological response, spirochaete antigen heterogeneity, or antibiotic therapy (Dattwyler et al, 1988;Brown et al, 1999;Brunner, 2001;Wang and Hilton, 2001;Malawista, 2005).…”

The frequency of HLA-DR alleles in patients with tick-borne disease from Latvia

“…Many studies have tried to identify genetic markers for infectious diseases; some of them have focused on HLA [4][5][6]27,28]. The products of HLA genes interact with surface-specific receptors of T lymphocytes, resulting in activation of the host's immune response.…”