Lack of an Exposure Response and Interaction With HLA-DPβ1 and DRβ1 Polymorphisms in the Development of Beryllium Toxicity in a High Beryllium Exposure Cohort

J Occup Environ Med. 2020 Jan;62(1):64-73. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001766.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate interaction of HLA-DPβ1 and DRβ1 polymorphisms with metrics of beryllium exposure, in the development of beryllium sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD).

Methods: A matched case-control study of 61 CBD, 41 BeS, and 259 controls from two beryllium-processing facilities.

Results: BES and CBD were significantly associated with presence of DPβE69. Dose response of exposure was not observed for the development of BES and CBD with/without adjustment for DPβE69 (P > 0.05). The DRβE71 polymorphism was more common in BeS than CBD after adjusting for exposure and maybe a protective factor (aOR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9) against the progression of BeS to CBD.

Conclusion: No exposure-response association was found, which may reflect that the workers in this high exposure cohort were above a threshold level where an exposure-response could be observed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Berylliosis / genetics*
  • Beryllium / toxicity*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • HLA-DP beta-Chains / genetics
  • Humans
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Occupational Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • HLA-DP beta-Chains
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RBM45 protein, human
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Beryllium