Family study of linkage disequilibrium between TAP2 transporter and HLA class II genes. Absence of TAP2 contribution to association with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The polymorphic TAP1 and TAP2 genes encode a transporter protein required for delivery of cytosolic peptides to class I molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum. Associations have been observed between TAP2 alleles and predisposition to autoimmune diseases such as IDDM but their interpretation has been complicated by the existence of LD between TAP2 and HLA class II loci, and conclusions are still contradictory. In order to precisely define LD on class II haplotypes, we performed an extensive familial analysis. A total of 466 individuals from 55 normal families and 49 IDDM multiplex families was studied, providing information on 420 independent haplotypes. The IDDM-predisposing DRB1*03 and DRB1*04 alleles were in strong negative LD with TAP2-B (delta = -0.035 and -0.034, respectively), and positive LD with TAP2-A (delta = + 0.055 and + 0.012). Positive LD was also found between TAP2-B and DRB1*01 and TAP2-C and DRB1*11 alleles. We then addressed the question of whether TAP2 is an independent additional IDDM-protective or predisposing genetic factor. No TAP2 effect was evidenced when considering DRB1*03 and/or 04 patients. A decreased TAP2-B phenotype frequency was observed in DRB1*03- and DRB1*04-negative IDDM patients compared with DRB1*03- and DRB1*04-negative normal controls (38.6% vs 63%, pc < 0.05), but was probably related to a combination of different weak LD between DRB1 and TAP2 alleles. It thus appears that there is no primary association between TAP2 alleles and IDDM. However, TAP polymorphism may allow us to define particular extended HLA haplotypes involved in susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.