Genetic Polymorphism of HLA-G 14-bp Insertion/Deletion in Pancreas Transplant Recipients and Its Association With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVES Human leukocyte antigen-G is an immuno-modulatory factor that affects acute allograft rejection and autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus. In this study, possible associations between human leukocyte antigen-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and acute pancreas rejection were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human leukocyte antigen-G genotyping was assessed in 102 Iranian pancreas transplant recipients (including 41 with acute rejection and 61 with nonacute rejection). Results were compared with 100 individuals in a normal control group. RESULTS No significant differences in genotype frequencies of human leukocyte antigen-G 14-bp insertion / deletion were observed in recipients who had acute rejection episodes. On the other hand, the insertion / insertion genotype was a risk factor for susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus (odds ratio = 3.82, 95% confidence interval, 1.37- 11.22; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS Our results provided evidence revealing that the human leukocyte antigen-G insertion / insertion genotype might be involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.