Lack of association of HLA class I genes and TNF alpha-308 polymorphism in toluene diisocyanate-induced asthma

Background:  Toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma is a common cause of occupational asthma and it affects 5–15% of the exposed population suggesting an underlying genetic susceptibility. Methods:  To investigate the role of genetic factors in the development of TDI-induced asthma, we analyzed the distribution of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I genes and of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α A-308G polymorphism in 142 patients with TDI-induced asthma and in 50 asymptomatic exposed subjects. Results:  Neither the distribution of HLA class I antigens nor the distribution of TNF-α A-308G polymorphism was different between patients with TDI-induced asthma and asymptomatic exposed subjects. Conclusions:  These results suggest that HLA class I antigens and TNF-α A-308G are not associated with susceptibility or resistance to the development of TDI-induced asthma.