Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the association between human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DQB1 allele polymorphisms and the presence dental caries among the Uygur and Han children in Xinjiang. METHODS: HLA-DQB1 allele in the Uygur and Han children with dental caries and healthy control in Xinjiang was tested (n=40) using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) DNA parting technology. RESULTS: A total of five specific loci were detected in the HLA-DQB1 locus among the Uygur and Han children. The frequency of the HLA-DQB1*02 allele in the Han group with severe caries (12.5%) was significantly lower than in the control group (32.5%) (P<0.05, OR=0.297). Moreover, the frequency of the HLA-DQB1*05 allele in the Uygur group with severe caries (37.5%) was significantly higher than in the control group (17.5%) (P<0.05, OR=2.829). CONCLUSIONS: Caries susceptibility among the Uygur and Han children in Xinjiang is related to the HLA-DQB1 allele. The HLA-DQB1*02 allele may protect against caries among the Han children, whereas the HLA-DQB1*05 allele may be responsible for the susceptibility of the Uygur children to caries.