FcγRIIA binding to IgG subclasses with different levels of affinity is influenced by the polymorphism in the gene that encodes this receptor. The substitution of arginine (R) for histidine (H) in the 131 position defines three allelic patterns, H/H, R/R, and H/R, resulting in FcγRIIA-H/H131 affinity for IgG2 and higher affinity for IgG3 subclasses. Studies have shown the importance of genetic host factors in leishmaniasis and participation of FcγRs on the macrophage infection by amastigote forms and in the immune response to Leishmania sp. We analysed the influence of allelic diversity patterns of the receptor FcγRIIA on American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). FcγRIIA-H/R131 polymorphism was determined by PCR followed by an allele-specific enzymatic digestion in 88 individuals with ATL and 98 healthy volunteer blood donors (control group). The genotypic and allelic distributions of FcγRIIA-H/R131 were similar among the studied groups as well in mild and severe clinical forms of ATL. Our results suggest no association between this allelic polymorphism and susceptibility or resistance to ATL, neither influencing the development of different clinical forms of this illness.
© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.