Role of mica repeat polymorphism in the manifestation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Bengali Indian patients

Abstract

Background. The major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA) (OMIM-600169) is a polymorphic gene in the HLA region expressed mainly by epithelial cells. The MICA protein encoded by the allele influences the activation of NK cells, which modify ?-cells destruction and has been found to be involved in susceptibility of T1DM. Objective. The aim of this study was to find the association of MICA alleles with T1DM among eastern Indian population. Subjects and methods.Study was conducted in 134 eastern Indian patients and with 137 healthy controls for the possible role of MICA gene in T1DM pathogenesis. Results. The MICA*A5 microsatellite allele, showed significantly higher frequencies in patients than controls (p=0.003, OR= 1.746, CI= 1.206-2.528). MICA A*6 was found to be protective in our study (p=<0.01, OR=0.406, CI= 0.268-0.616).