ESPE Abstracts

Keywords: Human Leukocyte Antigen system, DRB1 alleles

Diabetes mellitus is one of the diseases, the genetics of which has been most widely studied. In 40-50 % cases it is connected with Human Leukocyte Antigene system. The major genetic deterninants of this disease are DQ and DR genes "DR3" and "DR4" haplotypes create high risk for diabetes.

Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus risk is very high among the Iranian Azerbaijanis possesing HLA DR3-DQ2 haplotypes. In this ethnic group DRB1*0301 (82/5% with 11.3%), DQA1* 0501 (82.5% with 6.3%), DQB1*0201 (81.3% with 35%) alleles represent higher risk compared with healthy people. In iranian Azerbaijani nationality the frequency of DRB1*0401 is significantly higher (76.74% in comparison with 23.26%).

Aim: The research aimed to study the relationship between diabetes mellitus and HLA genes in two azerbaijan populations. In the populations the alleles of HLA polymorphic genes are observed in different versions.

Materials and Methods: HLA-DRB1 gene has been determined in children in North Azerbaijan (106 sick, 209 healthy). Saliva has been used in control qroups and blood analysis in diabetic patients. The results have been calculated with Conexio ATF Assign™ and SCORE™ computer program. The statistic calculation shave been analyzed using Pearson's Chi-squared and odds ratio has been computed. The genetic examination shave been carried out in the Children's Hospital of Oakland Research Institute, in California, USA.

Results and their discussion: Both European and Asian alleles exist in North Azerbaijan population. DRB1*03:01, DRB1*04:02, DRB1*04:05, DRB1*09:01 alleles contribute a high risk for diabetes, but DRB1*15:01 (Europe) and DRB1*15:02 (Asia), DRB1*11:01 alleles are protective in nature.

Conclusions: DRB1 alleles vary widely in the studied populations. DR3 and DR4 haplotypes are associated with diabetes mellitus and they are found in broad intervals. Some alleles (such as, DRB1*11:01) possess contradictory features in different populations. The complete study of DRB1, DRB3, DRB4, DRB5, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1, DPB1, A, B, C genes will provide possibility to enlarge upon the haplotypes.