Ancient DNA study reveals HLA susceptibility locus for leprosy in medieval Europeans

作者：Krause Kyora Ben; Nutsua Marcel; Boehme Lisa; Pierini Federica; Pedersen Dorthe Dangvard; Kornell Sabin Christin; Drichel Dmitriy; Bonazzi Marion; Moebus Lena; Tarp Peter; Susat Julian; Bosse Esther; Willburger Beatrix; Schmidt Alexander H; Sauter Juergen; Franke Andre; Wittig Michael; Caliebe Amke; Nothnagel Michael; Schreiber Stefan; Boldsen Jesper L; Lenz Tobias L; Nebel Almut

来源：Nature Communications, 2018, 9(1): 1569.

DOI：10.1038/s41467-018-03857-x

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease caused by <jats:italic>Mycobacterium leprae</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>M. leprae</jats:italic>), was very common in Europe till the 16th century. Here, we perform an ancient DNA study on medieval skeletons from Denmark that show lesions specific for lepromatous leprosy (LL). First, we test the remains for <jats:italic>M. leprae</jats:italic> DNA to confirm the infection status of the individuals and to assess the bacterial diversity. We assemble 10 complete <jats:italic>M. leprae</jats:italic> genomes that all differ from each other. Second, we evaluate whether the human leukocyte antigen allele DRB1*15:01, a strong LL susceptibility factor in modern populations, also predisposed medieval Europeans to the disease. The comparison of genotype data from 69 <jats:italic>M. leprae</jats:italic> DNA-positive LL cases with those from contemporary and medieval controls reveals a statistically significant association in both instances. In addition, we observe that DRB1*15:01 co-occurs with DQB1*06:02 on a haplotype that is a strong risk factor for inflammatory diseases today.</jats:p>

• 出版日期2018-5-1