Five HLA-D clusters associated with HLA-DR4

In order to investigate the HLA-D clusters associated with DR4, 54 DR4-positive, Dw4- and Dw10-negative responders, together with selected Dw4- or Dw10-positive responders, were tested with 22 HTCs that define DR4-associated D specificities. The results are consistent with previous data defining four distinct D clusters--Dw4, Dw10, DB3, and DYT--and have identified a new cluster provisionally termed LD40. In addition, the DB3 cluster is complex and appears to give typing response patterns overlapping those of the KT2 cluster originally defined as being associated with DR4 in Japanese populations. Of 116 DR4-positive haplotypes tested, 44% typed as Dw4, 18% were LD40, 16% were Dw10, 9% were DB3, 3% were DYT, and 10% gave no typing response to the HTCs defining any of these clusters. These studies are informative not only in defining the DR4-associated D clusters and in supporting the concept that D and DR cannot be considered identical but also in emphasizing the complexity of the D region.     

Determinants not correlated with HLA-Dw,DR, or SB detected by primed lymphocyte typing

We have identified a new HLA-Dw cluster, defined by five HTCs: 8W309 from the Eighth International Workshop, MN-LS and Bin-40 obtained locally. THO (Hansen), and RZoo (Hsu). Although highly associated with DR4, LD40 appears to be distinct from Dw4 and Dw10 {Hum Immunol 4:249. 1982}. PLT studies on LD40 were performed using intrafamilial PLT prepared in haploidentical combinations in which both stimulator and responder carried DR4 on the second haplotype and priming was only against LD40 or associated determinants. These reagents were apparently LD40-specific, as they were restimulated by ali DR4-LD40-positive cells with good discrimination from DR4-positive, LD40-negative cells.Whereas priming in a HLA-Dw-incompatible. DR-compatible combination produces PLT reagents with reactivities associated with the incompatible Dw specificity, further analysis of the D region is simplified if there is Dw and DR matching in the priming combination. A second type of reagent was generated using intrafamilial PLT prepared in a family in which two LD40 haplotypes were segregating: responder and stimulator shared one haplotype, and both carried DR4-LD40 on the second haplotype but associated with different A, B, and C antigens. This reagent appeared to recognize determinant(s) associated with several different haplotypes: among the subcultures derived from this reagent, several were found in which positive restimulation did not correlate with any particular A, B, C, DR, Dw, or SB/PL3/D^β type.These results suggest that the PLT test may detect (a) shared or cross-reactive antigenic determinants of HLA-Dw/DR as presently defined and/or (b) determinants distinct from Dw and DR. Although some of the latter, as detected by subcultures, appear to correlate with SB specificities, other show no correlation with presently defined Dw, DR, or SB antigens.     

DR2+ haplotypes in insulin-dependent diabetes: analysis of DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms

Insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) is strongly associated with certain HLA class II (Ia) antigens. The frequency of DR2 is significantly reduced in IDD; among DR2+ patients, the frequency of the subtype specificity Dw2 defined with homozygous typing cells (HTCs) is significantly reduced compared to DR2+ controls, and the specificity LD-MN2, which we have defined using primed lymphocyte typing reagents, is significantly increased. We have studied DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of DR2-LD-MN2+ individuals and homozygous typing cells carrying specificities antigenically related to LD-MN2. Using a number of different restriction enzymes, a characteristic pattern of fragments could be defined for DR2-LD-MN2 using both DQ beta and DR beta cDNA probes. This pattern was shared with some but not all of the antigenically related HTCs, and was distinct from that of DR2-Dw2. The RFLP pattern of DR2-LD-MN2 obtained with the DQ beta probe is identical, except for one band, to that of DR1-Dw1, suggesting that at least some part of the DQ region is identical in these two haplotypes. These results indicate that analysis of RFLP patterns can be used to help identify the genetic regions and, eventually, genes most important in the association of HLA and IDD.     

A study of HLA-DR2 associated HLA-Dw/LD specificities

HLA-Dw2 and Dw12 are both associated with HLA-DR2; however, these specificities account for only 86% (161/188) of the DR2 + haplotypes in our North American Caucasian panel. In an attempt to identify new DR2 associated antigenic clusters, we have generated four primed lymphocyte (LD) typing (PLT) reagents in haploidentical familial combinations against DR2 + Dw blank haplotypes. These reagents were positively restimulated by 11 of 16 DR2 + Dw blank cells tested, with good discrimination from Dw2 and Dw12 + cells, thus identifying a new antigenic cluster provisionally termed LD-MN2. We have compared the LD-MN2 specificity with the specificity LD-5a defined by two DR2 + HTCs, BAS and REM, (Layrisse, Caracas) which have been included in the pre-1984 Workshop Cluster DB9. Although none of our DR2 + cells gave typing responses to these two HTCs defining LD-5a, PLT studies did indicate an interrelationship between these specificities and with the specificity tb24 defined with the HTC, FJO (Betuel). The LD-5a HTCs, four LD-5a heterozygous cells, and two additional HTCs (WJR-Hansen, Seattle and FJO/tb24-Betuel, Lyon) significantly restimulated the anti-MN2 PLT reagents, though usually not as strongly as the MN2+ cells. MN2+ cells primed against the LD-5a HTCs were restimulated by only the LD-5a + cells. Dw2 + cells primed against FJO were restimulated by some, but not all MN2 + cells. These results suggest that MN2, tb24, and LD-5a share some determinants, not shared with most cells which type as Dw2 and Dw12, though differing by other stimulatory determinants. These studies emphasize the necessity of studying new antigenic clusters by both PLT and HTC methodologies as well as testing different ethnic groups.     

Comparison of DR beta 1 alleles from diabetic and normal individuals

Insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) is positively associated with HLA-D proteins. A critical question is whether or not sequence differences within the HLA-D coding region are the same or different in diabetics and normal individuals of the same haplotype. We have isolated both DR beta 1 alleles from a Dw4/LD MN2 cDNA library and compared them to DR beta 1 genes isolated from normal individuals of the same Dw phenotype. We found no nucleotide differences in the coding region between the normal and diabetic alleles of DR beta 1 suggesting to us that DNA differences other than the DR beta 1 coding region may account for the observed association of HLA-D and diabetes.     

High frequency of the HLA-DRB1*0405-(Dw15)-DQw8 haplotype in Spaniards and its relationship to diabetes susceptibility.

A study of DR4 subtypes has been done in Spanish unrelated controls and insulin-dependent diabetics by using dot blot hybridization with specific DR4B1 exon-2 oligonucleotides and automated dideoxy DNA sequencing. Dw15-DQw8 is the predominant DR4 subtype present in our normal population (37%); this DR4 frequency characteristic singles out our population from all other Caucasoids tested so far and may also be a marker of the original Iberian paleo-North African population. Dw15-DQw8 is not significantly increased in our insulin-dependent diabetics sample and despite its relative high frequency in the control population it does not have a bearing in lowering insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus frequency of DR4-positive Spaniards. In addition, no particular DR4 split is by itself significantly increased in Spanish diabetics; this may indicate that selective diabetogenic environmental factors may be working upon DR4-positive individuals, but on genes (or gene products) other than DR or at least not upon the polymorphic sites of DRB1 exon-2 products.     

HLA-A, B, DR antigens and insulin-dependent diabetes in Algerians

HLA-A, B and DR antigens have been investigated in insulin-dependent diabetics and compared to controls in a population of Algerians. A decrease of A1 and DR2 and an increase of Aw 19.2; B8, B18 and especially DR3 were found in diabetics in comparison to controls. The strongest association was found for DR3, which is a good genetic marker of IDD (RR = 8.50) in this population. The frequency of some HLA antigen associations in IDD suggests that the diabetic gene(s) is linked to 2 main haplotypes: Aw 19.2; B18; DR3 and Aw 19.2; B8; DR3. Antigen DR4 was equally represented in IDD (21%) and controls (28.4%), but heterozygote DR3-DR4 was more frequent in diabetics. The relation between IDD and HLA antigens found in the Algerian population is very similar to that described in diabetic Caucasian populations of southern Europe, except for the lack of association with DR4.     

New HLA-D Alleles Associated with DRI and DR2

The present study describes two new HLA-D specificities : LD 13, associated with DR1, and LD14 associated with DR2. LD13 is defined by an HTC who is the bc offspring of an a: A25, B18, DR7, Dw7/b: A33, B14, DR1, Dx father, and of a c: A24, B14, Dr1, Dx/d: A26, B41, DR5, Dw5 mother. This HTC was included both as a responder and as a stimulator in our cross-reference studies of 8W HTCs. While failing to cluster with any other 8W HTC, it typed 2 of 64 panel members carrying a "blank" HLA-D, linked to DR1. To exclude the possibility that HTC-LD13 might be a split of Dwl, the entire family was tested with the Family Set of 8W HTCs. No typing responses to any 8W Dw1 HTCs were observed. Furthermore, checkerboard experiments between HTC-LD13 and 8WDw1 HTCs showed strong reciprocal stimulation. The LD13 specificity was only found in Ashkenazi Jews and may be in linkage disequilibrium with HLA-B14. LD14 is defined by three, SD different, HTCs deriving from the same family of Sicilian descent. The family was included in the 8th Workshop and each HTC was shown to have inherited DR2, MT1 from both parents. When tested as stimulators, on our HLA-D reference panel, these cells were clustered in a distinct group, LD14, associated with DR2. None of the 8W HTCs appeared to belong to this cluster. The antigen frequency of LD14 is 0.03.     

Dw subtypes of DR4 in rheumatoid arthritis: evidence for a preferential association with Dw4

We have determined the frequency of the DR4-associated Dw subtypes, defined by homozygous typing cells, in a group of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients on second-line drug therapy. The frequency of DR4 in these patients was 86%. Among Caucasians, the frequency of Dw4 in the DR4-positive patients was significantly increased (68%) as compared to DR4-positive normal individuals (46%; p less than 0.025). Dw4, as compared to the other DR4 subtypes tested, may also be associated with more severe disease as judged by indices of functional impairment and joint damage. In a small subgroup of non-Caucasian (black and Native American) patients, the Dw13 (DB3) subtype of DR4 was often seen, suggesting that RA may have different Dw associations in different ethnic groups.     

HLA-D clusters associated with DR2 and the definition of HLA-D"AZH": a new DR2 related HLA-D specificity in Israel

In order to investigate the HLA-D clusters associated with DR2 in Israeli Jews, 40 DR2 positive unrelated individuals were studied with a panel of DR2 associated homozygous typing cells (HTC's) which detect the lymphocyte defined specificities HLA-Dw2, Dw12, Dw9 and D-WJR. The results confirmed the existence of two distinct HLA-D clusters associated with the same serologically defined DR2. Of 40 individuals 22.5% (9/40) were Dw2 and 50% (20/40) were Dw12 carriers. Yet, no HLA-D specificity could be assigned to the remaining 11 DR2 positive individuals. In the present study we have defined a unique DR2-associated Dw specificity, HLA-D"AZH". The donor of the HTC was of Moroccan origin and an offspring of a first cousin marriage. This cell was not typeable with the known DR2-associated homozygous typing cells nor with other HTC's which define the well established HLA-Dw1 to Dw11 specificities. It was shown to segregate with DR2 positive HLA haplotypes in family analysis and in a population study, typed out 7 of 11 unrelated DR2 positive, Dw blank individuals, thus identifying a unique and new HLA-D cluster provisionally designated D"AZH".     

Is predisposition to pemphigus vulgaris in Jewish patients mediated by HLA-Dw10 and DR4?

Twenty-one Israeli Jewish pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients were studied for the HLA-D lymphocyte defined determinants and the serologically defined antigens of the HLA-A, B, and DR series. HLA-D typing revealed that Dw10 is significantly associated with PV: 86% of patients vs 18% of controls carried Dw10, and DR4 was present in 86% of patients as compared to 38% in the controls. The most striking observation was that all Dw10 positive patients were also positive for DR4, and no other patient carried DR4 alone. The relative risk for a Dw10-DR4 carrier to develop PV was estimated at 31.9, higher than that observed for Dw10 alone (RR 26.7) or DR4 alone (RR 9.6). Probably HLA-Dw10 predisposes for pemphigus vulgaris.     

Further DNA sequence microheterogeneity of the HLA-DR4/Dw13 haplotype group: Importance of amino acid position 86 of the DRβ1 chain for T-cell recognition

Using the polymerase chain reaction we have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones corresponding to the polymorphic first domain of the DRβ1 chain from the DR4, “Dw13” cell line, JHa. We have found that the JHa DRβ1 allele differs from previously reported Dw13 alleles by a single amino acid substitution at position 86. The functional relevance of this polymorphism is supported by the reactivity pattern of a T-cell clone, E38. E38 is an alloreactive T-cell clone which reacts with all Dw14 stimulator cells and all Dw13-positive cells tested except the “Dw13”- positive homozygous typing cell line JHa. Inhibition studies with monoclonal antibodies revealed the stimulating determinant to be on DR and not on DQ or DP molecules. These data indicate that position 86 of the DRβ1 chain can play an important role in the formation of determinants recognized by T cells.     

Dw subtypes of serologically defined DR-DQ specificities restrict recognition of cytomegalovirus

We have investigated the relationship between serologically defined (Ia) and T lymphocyte-defined (LD/Dw) determinants in restricted recognition of cytomegalovirus (CMV) by human T lymphocytes. T lymphocytes isolated from CMV seropositive individuals expressing DQw3/DR4/Dw4 antigens were "sensitized" to CMV in vitro; CMV-specific blasts were isolated and tested for their ability to recognize CMV presented by cells expressing different DR4-associated Dw antigens (i.e., Dw4, Dw10, Dw13, Dw14, and Dw15). Similar studies were also performed using T lymphocytes from individuals expressing DQw1/DR2/Dw2 specificities and antigen presenting cells (APC) expressing the DR2-associated Dw/LD subtypes, Dw2, Dw12, and LD-MN2. CMV-specific T cell blasts were used as responding cells in order to reduce nonspecific background alloresponses which occur with allogeneic APC. In all cases it was found that the determinants involved in restricted recognition of CMV were subtypic to the DR-associated Ia specificities. To distinguish whether Dw specificities associated with DQ or with DR molecules, or both, were involved in these responses, we used anti-DR (L243) and an anti-DQwl (S3/4) monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) to block CMV-specific responses. Both MoAb significantly blocked responses, suggesting that determinants associated with both DR and DQ molecules are involved in restricted recognition of CMV by T cells.     

HLA-Dw/LD directed cytotoxic T cell clones

T lymphocyte clones were derived by micromanipulation from an MLC between a stimulator and responder matched for class I but mismatched for class II HLA antigens; among the possible stimulating antigens were DR4 and Dw4. Two of the clones, when tested for cytotoxicity on a panel of DR4 positive and negative targets, appeared to recognize a determinant closely associated with Dw4, but did not lyse, with one exception, targets expressing other DR4 associated Dw specificities or DR4 negative targets. Blocking studies, using monoclonal antibodies directed against monomorphic epitopes on class I or class II molecules, revealed that the cytotoxic activity of these clones was strongly inhibited by an anti-class II (L-243) but not by an anti-class I (w6/32) monoclonal antibody. Both clones were T3⁺, T4⁺, T8^?. These findings show that cytotoxic T cell clones, (directed against class II antigens), may have specificity that correlates with a T lymphocyte-defined LD/Dw determinant. The blocking experiments using monoclonal antibodies give further support to the idea that these clones recognize determinant(s) on a class II molecule. The cell surface phenotyping results are in agreement with previous reports that most anti-class II cytotoxic clones have a T4⁺ T8^? phenotype.     

HLA-Dw clusters associated with DR4 in Israeli Jews and the definition of a new DR4 associated Dw subtype: Dw"SHA"

A homozygous typing cell (HTC), that identifies a newly defined HLA-Dw determinant Dw"SHA," is described. The donor of the HTC was a Yeminite Jew and an offspring of first cousin marriage. This cell is not included in the known DR4-associated specificity clusters Dw4,Dw10,Dw13,Dw14,Dw15, or the provisional cluster Dw"KT2." Dw"SHA" was shown to segregate with DR4 positive haplotypes in family analysis, and in a population study was present in three of 43 unrelated DR4 positive individuals. This new Dw determinant was detected in Israeli Jews of Yemenite origin bearing the haplotype HLA-Bw41,DR4,DQw3. This indicates that Bw41,DR4,DQw3,Dw"SHA" may represent a typical allele combination in Yemenite Jews. Among 43 DR4 haplotypes in Israeli Jews, Dw10 had the highest antigen frequency (41.8%), whereas in American Caucasoids and in Japanese, Dw4 and Dw15 were most frequent, 44% and 40.5%, respectively.     

Frequency of nine HLA—D antigens in the Danish population

The frequency of HLA—Dw1—8 and DH was determined in 389 unrelated healthy Danes and in 257 kidney patients. All individuals were HLA—A, B, C typed, 168 of the normal individuals and all kidney patients were typed for HLA-DR.
The frequency of Dw1—8 in the normal material and kidney patient material was quite similar except for Dw6, which showed an increased frequency among the kidney patients, but as the patients are not prospectively ascertained, the significance of this finding is unclear. The frequency of the blank allele is 0.19 which is comparable to other Seandinavian materials but much lower than that seen in the joint report of the 8th International Histocompatibility Workshop. The D frequencies correlate quite well with the HLA—DR frequencies, the biggest discrepancy between D and DR exists for D/DR4, where DR4 is much "broader". The DR4 positives can be divided into the Dw4 positives, strongly associated with B15 and the Dw4 negatives, not associated with B15 but with B40. Primed lymphocyte typing in some cases followed HLA—DR, in other cases HLA—D assignment. For HLA—D/DR2 the DR assignment also seemed to be broader, the DR2 positive, Dw2 negative group not being associated with B7, but possibly with B5.
In the assignment of HLA—D determinants, "false negatives" have caused problems in many materials, but the inclusion of a number of known control responders in our experiments has made it possible to increase the accuracy of assignment by adjusting the cut-off level for typing responses according to the typings of the controls.     

HLA-DR4 associated Dw types in rheumatoid arthritis

Frequencies of HLA-DR4 and its related Dw types were compared between randomly selected normal controls and the index cases of multiplex rheumatoid arthritis (RA) families. A DR4 frequency of 68.3% was observed in index cases (n = 57) compared to 31.2% in normal controls (n = 96). Cellular typing with homozygous typing cells (HTCs) revealed significant increases of Dw4 (49.1% vs 22.9% RR = 3.2 p less than 0.001) and Dw14 (22.8% vs 2.1% RR = 13.9 p less than 0.001) in the index cases. A non-significant increase was seen for Dw13 (8.8% vs 4.1%). When DR4 positive patients and controls were compared, a significant increase was seen only for Dw14 (34.2% vs 6.6% RR = 7.3 p less than 0.01). Data from HLA genotyped RA and normal families allowed an examination of haplotype combinations of HLA-B antigens and DR4/Dw types to be made. HLA-Dw4 was predominantly found with B44 and Bw62 with nearly all DR4/Bw62 haplotypes being Dw4 positive. HLA-Dw13 was associated with B44 and Dw14 with Bw60, B44 and B27. Based on HTC and normal family data. Dw10 was found to be strongly associated with B38 containing haplotypes. Analysis of 69 C4A, C4B complement typed DR4 haplotypes failed to show any statistically significant association between Dw type and "complotype". However, there was a suggestion of C4A3. BQO being associated with Dw4 (34.2% vs 16.1% X2 = 2.9 p = ns) and C4A3, B1 with Dw14 (45.5% vs 27.6% X2 = 2.1 p = ns).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

HLA-D clusters associated with DR4 in the Japanese population

A study of HLA-D clusters associated with DR4 was performed in the Japanese population. These clusters consist of DYT, DKT2, DB3, and Dw4. Forty-two Japanese typed as DR4 were investigated, and it was found that 17 (40.5%) were DYT. 7 (16.7%) DKT2. 7 (16.7%) DB3, and 4 (9.5%) Dw4.     

Heterogeneity of HLA-DR4 in Greeks including a unique DR4-DQw2 association.

It has been shown that Greek RA patients do not show an increased frequency of HLA-DR4 compared with Greek controls. As only the Dw4 and Dw14 subtypes of DR4 are implicated in RA, we have characterised DR4-positive Greek RA patients and controls using serology, MLC typing and RFLP analysis to see whether the distribution of DR4 subtypes or other HLA antigens associated with DR4 could account for these findings. In the 10 patients and 12 controls studied, Dw10 was common, being present in almost half the controls. Dw4 was not detected in the controls, but was present in three of the RA patients, indicating that there may be some relationship between Dw4 and RA in this population; Dw13 and Dw14 were also found, Dw15 was not detected. Eight of the subjects did not type as any of the HLA-D antigens mentioned. Three controls had unusual DR4-DQ associations, two having DR4-DQw2 and one possessing DR4-DQw4. Analysis of the TaqI DRB RFLP of the subjects showed that one control did not have the 6.1 kb band characteristic of DR4s. All these results indicate that DR4 is a heterogeneous antigen in this population and that several as yet undescribed variants of DR4 may be present.     

Increasing complexity of HLA-DR2 as detected by serology and oligonucleotide typing.

Serological and oligonucleotide typing was performed on a number of HLA-DR2-positive cells from different ethnic origin, including DR2 haplotypes with various DQ associations. Exons 2 of DRB1 and DRB5 of DR2-positive individuals were locus-specific amplified and hybridized with a number of different oligonucleotides capable of discriminating between the various Dw2, Dw12, Dw21, and Dw22 associated sequences. The linkage of DRB with DQA1 and DQB1 in these haplotypes was analyzed. Among the DR2- positive cells we could define 10 different DR DQ haplotypes by serology and 13 by oligonucleotide typing. The DR2.ES specificity is a serological DRw15 variant which could not be discriminated by oligonucleotide typing from a DRw15 DQw5 haplotype. The DR2.JA variant represents a unique DRB1*1602 DRB5*0101 haplotype. The DR1+2s haplotype consists of a DRB1 DQ region from a Dw1 and a DRB5 gene from a Dw2 haplotype. Its short DR2 serum pattern can be explained by the absence of a DR2 DRB1 gene product. DRB5*0101 sequences were found in association with DRB1*1501, *1502, *1602, and *0101 alleles. Since the DRB5 gene is capable of such different associations it is comparable to the DRB3 and DRB4 genes. This may have implications for the definition of the broad DR2 specificity which is predominantly encoded by the DRB5 gene product. New DR2 haplotypes included the following DQ combinations: DQw2-positive DQA1/B1*0301/0201 and DQw6-positive DQA1/B1*0102/0601 and *0102/0603 haplotypes.