Capsule: HLA-B associated transcript (BAT) 2, 3, and 5 polymorphisms and haplotypes are associated with Kawasaki disease (KD) and coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) formations.
Objective: KD, an acute vasculitis with unknown etiology, involves a complex interaction of immuno-inflammatory process, cytokines activation, and genetic factors. We aimed to investigate if genetic variants of human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-BAT2, 3, and 5 (BAT2, 3, and 5) could be used as markers of susceptibility in KD and CAA.
Methods: Individuals were divided into three groups: (1) normal controls; (2) KD with CAA; and (3) KD without CAA. Polymorphisms for BAT2 (-8671, 16483), BAT3 (8854, 2-24), and BAT5 (22655, 9569) were genotyped by PCR system with TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Genotype/allelic frequencies and haplotypes (BAT2(-8671)-BAT2(16483)-BAT3(8854)-BAT3(2-24)-BAT5(22655)-BAT5(9569)) in each group were compared.
Results: Genotype distribution and allele frequency of BAT2 -8671, BAT3 8854, and BAT5 22655, 9569 polymorphisms in each group were significantly different. BAT2 -8671*G, BAT3 8854*C, BAT5 22655*C, and 9569*A-related genotypes and alleles are correlated with the developments of KD and CAA. BAT haplotypes of ATTGTG and ATCATG are associated with higher susceptibilities of KD with CAA susceptibility.
Conclusion: BAT2 -8671, BAT3 8854, and BAT5 22655, 9569 polymorphisms as well as BAT haplotypes (ATTGTG and ATCATG) might be associated with higher KD susceptibility and CAA formation. HLA-B region polymorphisms might contribute to the pathogenesis of KD and CAA.