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Minerals, trace elements, Vit. D and bone health

Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration with HLA-B, -DRB1 and -DQB1 genetic polymorphisms

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 71, pages 128–131 (2017)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene region associates with the risk for several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes. An association between vitamin D deficiency and several autoimmune diseases has been suggested. We tested the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations and HLA alleles in pregnant Finnish women.

Subjects/Methods:

HLA-B (n=395), HLA-DRB1 (n=501) and HLA-DQB1 (n=475) alleles were genotyped in pregnant women (mothers of children who later developed type 1 diabetes and mothers of non-diabetic children). HLA-B alleles were divided into supertypes that share similar peptide-binding specificity. Serum 25OHD concentration had been previously measured in these women from sera collected during the first trimester of pregnancy. Multiple testing was controlled for using the false discovery rate method.

Results:

An association was found between 25OHD concentration and HLA-B44 supertype (P=0.009); women with HLA-B44 supertype (B*18, B*37, B*40 and B*44 alleles) had lower 25OHD concentrations. No association was found between HLA-DRB1 or -DQB1 alleles and 25OHD concentration.

Conclusions:

In this study we found for the first time an association between HLA genetic polymorphisms and 25OHD concentration. In future studies, the mechanistic background of this association and the role of vitamin D in the regulation of HLA gene expression should be investigated.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Minna Haanpää for HLA genotyping. This study was supported by the Finnish Academy (Grant No. 127219), the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Diabetes Research Foundation, EVO funding of the South Ostrobothnia Central Hospital from Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (EVO1107), Biomedicum Helsinki Foundation, Jalmari and Rauha Ahokas Foundation, Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation, Suoma Loimaranta-Airila Fund, Onni and Hilja Tuovinen Foundation, Juho Vainio Foundation and Orion Research Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland

    M E Miettinen, V Harjutsalo & J Tuomilehto

  2. Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland

    L Kinnunen

  3. Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Folkhälsan Research Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    V Harjutsalo

  4. Abdominal Center Nephrology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    V Harjutsalo

  5. Research Program Unit, Diabetes and Obesity, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    V Harjutsalo

  6. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland

    K Aimonen

  7. Impact Assessment Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Oulu, Finland

    H-M Surcel

  8. Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    C Lamberg-Allardt

  9. Center for Vascular Prevention, Danube-University Krems, Krems, Austria

    J Tuomilehto

  10. South Ostrobothnia Central Hospital, Seinäjoki, Finland

    J Tuomilehto

  11. Diabetes Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    J Tuomilehto

  12. Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait

    J Tuomilehto

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  1. M E Miettinen
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  2. L Kinnunen
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Correspondence to M E Miettinen.

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Miettinen, M., Kinnunen, L., Harjutsalo, V. et al. Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration with HLA-B, -DRB1 and -DQB1 genetic polymorphisms. Eur J Clin Nutr 71, 128–131 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.160

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