Selvaraj, P
(2004)
Host genetics and tuberculosis susceptibility.
Current Science, 86 (1).
pp. 115-121.
ISSN 0011-3891
Abstract
Susceptibility to tuberculosis is multifactorial. The
importance of host genetic factors on the susceptibility
or resistance to tuberculosis has been emphasized by
many workers. Host genetic factors such as human
leucocyte antigens (HLA) and non-HLA genes that are
associated with the susceptibility to tuberculosis will
serve as genetic markers to predispose or predetermine
the development of the disease. Such markers may be
useful to understand the immune mechanism of susceptibility
or resistance to tuberculosis. Association of
various HLA and non-HLA genes with susceptibility
to tuberculosis in various ethnic population has been
established. HLA studies carried out in the Asian
region, especially in India, revealed the association of
HLA-DR2 and -DQ1 antigens with the susceptibility
to pulmonary TB. Further, studies on DNA typing
explored the association of DRB1 *1501 and *1502
(DR2 subtypes) in north Indian and DRB1 *1501, DRB1
*0601 (DQ1 subtype) and DPB1 *02 (DP2 subtype) in
south Indian population. Various studies on non-classical
major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes and
non-MHC/non-HLA gene polymorphisms such as transporter
associated with antigen processing (TAP), tumour
necrosis factor a and b (TNF a and b), mannose binding
lectin (MBL), vitamin D receptor (VDR) (BsmI,
ApaI, TaqI and FokI polymorphisms), Interleukin-1
receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) and natural resistance
associated macrophage protein-1 (NRAMP-1) genes
revealed the association of TAP2 gene variant along
with HLA–DR2 and functional mutant homozygotes
(FMHs) of MBL with the susceptibility to pulmonary
TB. The polymorphic BsmI, ApaI, TaqI and FokI gene
variants of VDR showed differential susceptibility and
resistance with male and female subjects. These studies
suggest that multicandidate genes are associated with
the susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in India.
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