Combined linkage and association studies show that HLA class II variants control levels of antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus antigens

PLoS One. 2014 Jul 15;9(7):e102501. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102501. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Over 95% of the adult population worldwide is infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV infection is associated with the development of several cancers, including Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Elevated levels of anti-EBV antibodies have been associated with increased risk of HL. There is growing evidence that genetic factors control the levels of antibodies against EBV antigens. Here, we conducted linkage and association studies to search for genetic factors influencing either anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) or anti-Epstein Barr nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) IgG levels in a unique cohort of 424 individuals of European origin from 119 French families recruited through a Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patient. No major locus controlling anti-VCA antibody levels was identified. However, we found that the HLA region influenced anti-EBNA-1 IgG titers. Refined association studies in this region identified a cluster of HLA class II variants associated with anti-EBNA-1 IgG titers (e.g. p = 5×10(-5) for rs9268403). The major allele of rs9268403 conferring a predisposition to high anti-EBNA-1 antibody levels was also associated with an increased risk of HL (p = 0.02). In summary, this study shows that HLA class II variants influenced anti-EBNA-1 IgG titers in a European population. It further shows the role of the same variants in the risk of HL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / genetics*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Viral / biosynthesis
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology*
  • Female
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the Association pour la Recherche contre le Cancer, Ligue Nationale contre le cancer, Fondation de France, and Inserm. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.