Lack of association of HLA class I genes and TNFα-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)-? 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-? 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-? A-308G are not associated with susceptibility or resistance to the development of TDI-induced asthma