Immunoglobulin GM genes and IgG antibodies to cytomegalovirus in patients with systemic sclerosis

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2004 Jan-Feb;22(3 Suppl 33):S35-7.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the role of GM and KM genes--genetic markers of immunoglobulin gamma and kappa chains, respectively--in humoral immunity to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma).

Methods: A total of 137 Caucasian patients with SSc and 145 ethnically matched controls were genotyped for GM f/3, z/17, n+/23+, n-/23-, KM 1, and KM 3 alleles by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct DNA sequencing methods. IgG antibodies to HCMV were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: In SSc patients, GM f,z genotypes were strongly associated with the occurrence of anti-HCMV IgG antibodies. The frequency of the GM f homozygotes was lower (42.2 vs 62.2%; p= 0.02; OR=0.4) and the frequency of the GM f,z heterozygotes was higher (51.1 vs 26.7%; p = 0.006; OR = 2.8) in SSc patients with IgG antibodies to HCMV than in subjects who lacked these antibodies. This association was not observed in the control group. KM and GM n genotypes were not significantly associated with the prevalence of these antibodies.

Conclusion: GM f,z alleles or alleles in linkage disequilibrium with them influence the generation of IgG antibodies to HCMV in patients with SSc.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Antibody Formation / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Allotypes / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin Allotypes / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin Gm Allotypes / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin Gm Allotypes / immunology
  • Immunoglobulins / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulins / immunology
  • Linkage Disequilibrium / genetics
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Immunoglobulin Allotypes
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin Gm Allotypes
  • Immunoglobulins