Association of an LMP2 Polymorphism with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma

Hematological malignancies (HM) are a group of neoplasms derived from the cells of the bone marrowand lymphatic system. Genetic factors leading to susceptibility to HM have been investigated for years butlittle is known yet. Low molecular weight polypeptide (LMP) 2 and LMP7 genes are important subunits of theimmunoproteasome and play significant role in antigen presentation. The polymorphisms of LMP genes have beenreported to be risk factors for various types of diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the associationof LMP2 and LMP7 polymorphisms with the occurrence of particular types of HM. A total of 132 patients withHM and 130 control subjects were investigated. No significant difference was obtained in the distribution ofgenotype and allele frequencies of LMP7 gene in HM patients and the control group. On the other hand, theprevalence of LMP2-AA genotype was found to be higher in acute myeolid leukemia (AML) patients while itwas significantly lower in multiple myeloma (MM) cases than in the control subjects. Our results suggested thatLMP7 could not be a risk factor for susceptibility to HM, whereas LMP2 polymorphisms could play a role inthe development of AML and MM.