Increased frequency of HLA-A*02 in patients with atherosclerosis is associated with VZV seropositivity.

BACKGROUND

HLA molecules are inherited key molecules in the immune inflammation and specific responses to environmental pathogens. We investigated the association of HLA-A alleles with Varicella zoster virus (VZV) seropositivity in patients with atherosclerosis (AS).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Plasma Anti-VZV IgG and molecular HLA type were detected in 203 (100 AS+ and 103 AS-) individuals.

RESULTS

Of 100 AS+ individuals, 66 were anti-VZV+ and 34 were anti-VZV-. Of 103 age/sex-matched AS- individuals, 59 were anti-VZV+ and 44 were anti-VZV-. Anti-VZV-IgG in AS+ cases was higher than AS- controls (p = .034). The mean anti-VZV IgG in HLA-A*02+AS+ individuals was higher than HLA-A*02+AS- controls (p < .001). HLA-A*02 was associated with VZV-seropositivity (p = .01) in AS+ patients. A higher frequency of HLA-A*02-allele in AS+ patients compared to AS- controls (p = .015) and an accumulation of HLA-A*02-allele in AS+ anti-VZV+ group (33.3%, p = .004) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

HLA-A alleles and immune responses to VZV are associated with clinical atherosclerosis.