Allotype distribution of human T cell receptor ? and ? chain genes in Caucasians, Asians and Australian Aborigines: Relevance to chronic hepatitis B

Abstract

RFLPs of TCR beta and gamma genes have been analyzed in chronic HBV carriers of three different ethnic populations to determine if there is an association of TCR allotypes with the development of chronic hepatitis B. The RFLPs of TCR beta and gamma genes were defined respectively by BglII and PvuII genomic fragments on Southern blots. These methods allow allotype assignment. The distribution of TCR beta alleles showed ethnic variation, with one allele significantly decreased in Australian Aborigines, but there was no association with chronic hepatitis B. The distribution of TCR gamma alleles did not show ethnic variation. However, a significant frequency decrease of one allele occurred in Aboriginal HBV carriers, suggesting the possibility of involvement of TCR gamma allotypes in the development of the chronic HBV carrier state in Australian Aborigines.

TCRBV3S1 and TCRBV18 gene segment polymorphisms in Brazilian Caucasoid and Black populations

“…, 1995). These repertoire changes could lead to a defective immune response, as suggested by Soeharso et al . (1992) in a model of susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection.…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that some germline DNA variants at the TCR locus can modulate the TCR repertoire both qualitatively and quantitatively (Charmley et al , 1993;Posnett et al , 1994;Zhao et al , 1994;De Inocencio et al , 1995). These repertoire changes could lead to a defective immune response, as suggested by Soeharso et al . (1992) in a model of susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection.…”

“…, 1997). Although the association of disease susceptibility and different TCR alleles has been studied in several ethnic groups (Soeharso et al. , 1992), results can only be understood with knowledge of allelic frequencies in different normal human populations.…”

“…Data from different groups probably give contradictory results because of phenotypic variability of rheumatoid arthritis expression and genetic background differences between the populations studied (De Vries et al , 1993;Lunardi et al , 1994;Vandervyver et al , 1994;Cornélis et al , 1997). Although the association of disease susceptibility and different TCR alleles has been studied in several ethnic groups (Soeharso et al , 1992), results can only be understood with knowledge of allelic frequencies in different normal human populations. As few studies have addressed this point (Gomolka et al , 1994;De Inocencio et al , 1995;Ibberson et al , 1998), there is a need to establish normal TCR allelic frequencies in different human populations.…”

Different Percentages of Peripheral Blood γδ+ T Cells in Healthy Individuals from Different Areas of the World

“…We have shown that the size of peripheral blood T lymphocytes differ significantly between ethnic groups. A report comparing allotype distribution of human TCR chain genes in Caucasians, Asians and Australian Aborigines, found no ethnic variation, but no analysis of total TCR usage was performed [17]. With regard to T-cell TCR V-gene usage, great similarities in different ethnic groups has been shown [18].…”