POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION OF CD3 AND CD4 POLYMORPHISMS WITH INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS (IDDM)

Population and family studies show that predisposition to type I diabe tes (IDDM) is multifactorial, and that polymorphisms in the MHC region contribute substantially to the susceptibility to IDDM. In the presen t study the association of polymorphisms in the CD4 and the delta subu nit of CD3 with IDDM were examined in a Belgian population. We observe d that the frequency of the CD4A4/A4 genotype and of the CD3*91 allel e were significantly increased (P = 0.0077) and decreased (P = 3.8 x 1 0(-5)), respectively, in IDDM compared with controls. These results th erefore suggest that CD4, CD3 or neighbouring genes might contribute t o IDDM susceptibility. These results are, however, preliminary and can not be considered as established until re-tested in a new population.