HIGH SERUM IGE CONCENTRATIONS - ASSOCIATION WITH HLA-DR AND MARKERS ON CHROMOSOME 5Q31 AND CHROMOSOME 11Q31

Background: 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 product ion seems to be largely controlled by major histocompatibility complex class II genes, Objective: We therefore analyzed the association betw een the phenotype of high IgE serum levels and six microsatellite mark ers on chromosomes 5q31 and 11q13, as well as HLA-DRB1, in a random sa mple of the adult East German population.Methods: One hundred twenty-n ine persons identified as ''cases'' (serum IgE level >200 kU/L) and 26 6 control subjects (serum IgE level less than or equal to 200 kU/L) we re 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 betwee n cases and controls by means of a two-sided Fisher's exact test. Resu lts: None of the markers was significantly associated although a weak association to the markers within the IL-9 gene and the FCERIB gene an d to the HLA-DRB101 allele was found when specific IgE-positive cases were compared with negative controls. Conclusions: The weak associati ons after stratification for specific IgE might point to a contributio n of genes in these regions to the development of allergy.