Repository logo
 

Amino acid residues in five separate HLA genes can explain most of the known associations between the MHC and primary biliary cholangitis.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Ayers, Kristin L 
Mells, George F 
Liu, Jimmy Z 

Abstract

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease characterised by progressive destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts. The strongest genetic association is with HLA-DQA1*04:01, but at least three additional independent HLA haplotypes contribute to susceptibility. We used dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data in 2861 PBC cases and 8514 controls to impute classical HLA alleles and amino acid polymorphisms using state-of-the-art methodologies. We then demonstrated through stepwise regression that association in the HLA region can be largely explained by variation at five separate amino acid positions. Three-dimensional modelling of protein structures and calculation of electrostatic potentials for the implicated HLA alleles/amino acid substitutions demonstrated a correlation between the electrostatic potential of pocket P6 in HLA-DP molecules and the HLA-DPB1 alleles/amino acid substitutions conferring PBC susceptibility/protection, highlighting potential new avenues for future functional investigation.

Description

Keywords

Amino Acid Sequence, Amino Acid Substitution, Genes, MHC Class II, Genetic Association Studies, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, HLA Antigens, HLA-C Antigens, HLA-DP beta-Chains, HLA-DQ alpha-Chains, HLA-DQ beta-Chains, HLA-DRB1 Chains, Humans, Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary, Major Histocompatibility Complex, Models, Genetic, Models, Molecular, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Protein Conformation, Regression Analysis, Static Electricity

Journal Title

PLoS Genet

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1553-7390
1553-7404

Volume Title

14

Publisher

Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (088805/Z/09/Z)
Isaac Newton Trust (MINUTE 726(N))
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) Foundation (UK) Ltd (unknown)
Isaac Newton Trust (1106(y))
MRC (via Newcastle University) (BH124127)
Wellcome Trust (085925/Z/08/Z)