Association of NRAMP 1 Gene Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Tuberculosis in Taiwanese Aboriginals

Hsu, Yung-Hsiang; Chen, Chaio-Wei; Sun, H. Sunny; Jou, Ruwen; Lee, Jen-Jyh; Su, Ih-Jen

doi:10.1016/S0929-6646(09)60131-5

Next »Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Volume 105, Issue 5 , Pages 363-369, 2006

Association of NRAMP 1 Gene Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Tuberculosis in Taiwanese Aboriginals

Yung-Hsiang Hsu
- Department of Pathology, Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taipei, Taiwan
Chaio-Wei Chen
- Division of Clinical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taipei, Taiwan
H. Sunny Sun
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
Ruwen Jou
- Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Center for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
Jen-Jyh Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taipei, Taiwan
Ih-Jen Su
- Division of Clinical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taipei, Taiwan
- Correspondence to: Dr. Ih-Jen Su, Division of Clinical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 12C, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, 138, Sheng-Li Road, Tainan, Taiwan

Received 20 July 2005; received in revised form 29 August 2005; accepted 1 November 2005.

Background/Purpose

The human homologue of mice natural-resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp 1) gene, NRAMP 1, has been reported to play a role in susceptibility to tuberculosis in humans. The aboriginal population in Taiwan has a five-fold higher prevalence of tuberculosis than people of Han ethnicity. Whether genetic factors such as NRAMP 1 polymorphism play a role in the prevalence of tuberculosis in Taiwanese aboriginals should be clarified.

Methods

NRAMP 1 polymorphism was studied using a case-control design of patients with tuberculosis, including subjects of Han (Hans) and aboriginal ethnicity in Hualien, eastern Taiwan. The polymorphisms of NRAMP 1 at loci INT4, D543N, 77-385C/T, 3-UTR (CAAA) deletion and 5-(CA)n microsatellite markers were assessed by polymerase chain reaction on tissue DNA isolated from 105 aborigines and 110 Hans with tuberculosis. Comparable numbers of ethnically-matched controls were studied simultaneously.

Results

Two NRAMP 1 polymorphisms, INT4 and 5-(CA)n, were significantly associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis in aboriginals (p = 0.0070 and p = 0.0031, respectively). However, no association was detected at the five loci of NRAMP 1 polymorphisms among Hans (p > 0.08).

Conclusion

Genetic variation in NRAMP 1 may affect susceptibility to and increase risk for tuberculosis in Taiwanese aboriginals. Although environmental factors play an important role in tuberculosis infection, genetic factors such as NRAMP 1 polymorphism may also contribute to the high prevalence of tuberculosis in Taiwanese aboriginals.

Key Words: Hans , NRAMP 1 gene , polymorphism , Taiwanese aboriginals , tuberculosis