Association of TAP1 and TAP2 genes with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in Koreans.

Tuberculosis remains an important public health problem in Koreans. However, very few studies have reported on the genetic factors associated with TB susceptibility in Koreans. The aim of this study was to elucidate the genetic factors associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). We investigated the transporter associated with antigen processing -1 (TAP1) and TAP2 gene polymorphisms in 160 Korean PTB patients (categorized according to extent of lesion and TB medication history) and 210 controls. TAP2*C/E frequency was significantly increased in the PTB (pc = 0.004, OR = 2.28). TAP2*Bky2/C/E were enriched in the retreated, far-advanced and total PTB compared with the controls (pc = 0.015, OR = 3.27; pc = 0.019, OR = 2.56; pc = 2.8 × 10(-4) , OR = 2.42, respectively). In the comparison of TAP2 gene with the DRB1*08:03, which is associated with TAP2*Bky2 and PTB in Koreans, we demonstrated the hierarchy of these association factors. TAP2*C/E is independent factors as strong as DRB1*08:03, and TAP2*C/E interacts with DRB1*08:03, resulting in a striking combined association. Our results suggest that TAP2 gene has an association with PTB susceptibility, the extent of the lesion or recurrence. These associations are independent from and additive with DRB1*08:03.