肺结核病患者与HLA-DRBI等位基因的关联

目的：通过对湖北省汉族肺结核病（PTB）患者进行HLA-DRB1基因分型,探讨此人群与HLA-DRB1的相关性。方法：用序列特异性寡核苷酸探针聚合酶链反应（PCR-SSOP）技术对174例PTB患者及1358例健康人群进行HLA-DRB1基因分型。基因频率与Hardy-Weinberg平衡卡方检测使用arlequin软件进行,组间比较用Fisher精确概率法计算P值,检测水准为a=0．05,相对危险系数用RR表示,RR：A（A＋B）／C（C＋D）。结果：174例PTB患者HLA-DRB1基因分型结果与希望值进行H-W平衡检测（P〉0．05）。此人群检出HLA-DRB1等位基因共13种与对照组一致。其中RB1＊08与DRB1＊09基因频率显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈O．01）,且RR〉1,说明DRB1＊08与DRB1＊09或与其连锁的单倍型可能是的PTB易感基因;RB1＊10与DRB1＊13基因频率显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,且RR〈1,说明RB1＊10与DRB1＊13可能是PTB的保护基因。其余等位基因频率组间比较均无统计学意义。结论：湖北省汉族PTB患者这个疾病群体遗传平衡被杂化,其与HLA-DRBl有一定的关联,但有其自身的特点。     

HLA-DR.DQ基因与骨关节结核的易感性研究

目的 探讨HLA-DR.DQ基因多态性与骨关节结核的遗传关联性,比较骨关节结核与肺结核之间易感基因的差异。方法 采用聚合酶链反应-序列特异性引物 (PCR-SSP)方法,对86例骨关节结核,88例正常人及34例肺结核的HLA-DR.DQ等位基因进行分析。结果 骨关节结核组与正常人比较,骨关节结核组DRB109、DQB10301基因频率增高 (38.99%比8.24%　PC ＜0.0001　RR =8.92;18.27%比2.66%　PC ＜0.05　RR =2.21),DRB113.2基因频率显著低于对照组 (4.76%比20.50%　PC ＜0.001　RR =0.18)。骨关节结核组与肺结核比较,DRB109、DQB10301基因频率增高 (38.99%比9.2%　PC ＜0.0001;18.15%比1.85%　PC ＜0.001),而DRB115基因频率低于肺结核组 (17.17%比36.3%　PC ＜0.01)。结论 HLA-DRB109、DQB10301可能是我国骨关节结核的易感基因,DRB113.2为保护基因。骨关节结核与肺结核之间易感基因存在差异。     

The association of HLA-DRB, DQA1, DQB1 alleles and haplotype frequency in Iranian patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate HLA-DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 allelic polymorphism in Iranian patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). METHODS: Forty patients with smear-positive PTB and 100 healthy individuals as a control group were studied for MHC class II allelic polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). The primer was supplied by biotest in the standard kit. DRB low resolution SSP and DQA, DQB intermediate resolution SSP was applied. RESULTS: The comparison of the patients and the control group showed a significant increase in the frequency of the HLA-DRB1*07 and DQA1*0101 alleles (OR 2.7, 95%CI 1.19-6.13, P = 0.025 and OR 2.66, 95%CI 1.15-6.44, P = 0.04, respectively) in the patient group. The frequency of DQA1*0301 and DQA1*0501 was also significantly decreased (OR 0.254, 95%CI 0.075-0.865, P = 0.033 and OR 0.53, 95%CI 0.3-0.95, P = 0.045, respectively) in the PTB patients. Concerning haplotype frequency, DRB1*11501, QDQA1*0103 and DQB1*0601 were increased, but this difference was not statistically significant. In the DQB1 locus, DQB1*0501 was non-significantly over-represented. CONCLUSIONS: HLA-DRB1*07 and HLA-DQA1*0101 appeared to be the predisposing alleles and HLA-DQA1*0301 and 0501 the protective alleles in our patients with TB.     

HLA-DRB1 polymorphism is associated with Kell immunisation

K immunisation is observed in some polytransfused patients and pregnant women but does not occur in all cases of K incompatibility. This study analysed the role of genetic background in this selective response to K antigen by investigating HLA-DRB1 alleles associated with K immunisation in a southern European population. HLA-DRB1 genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific oligonucleotide/sequence-specific primer procedures in 54 K immunised patients and 200 healthy controls. The frequency of HLA-DRB1*11 was significantly higher in K immunised patients than healthy controls: 31 of 54 (57%) vs. 56 of 200 (28%) (P(c) < 0.001). In the remaining K immunised HLA-DRB1*11-negative patients, the frequency of HLA-DRB1*13 was increased: 14 of 23 (61%) vs. 49 of 144 in healthy controls (34%) (P < 0.02). The combined frequency of the two HLA-DRB1 alleles (HLA-DRB1*11 and HLA-DRB1*13) was 83% in K immunised patients when compared with 52% in healthy controls (P(c) < 0.001). K and k differ by a single amino acid T193 (M). The DRB1*11 and DRB1*13 alleles share a HLA-DRB1 gene sequence containing S in position 13, D in 70 and A in 74, and coding for the P4 pocket within the HLA-DR binding groove. This feature of the HLA-DRB1 gene could be involved in the K peptide presentation through a polymorphism ligand specific for the T193 (M) of K. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a high frequency of HLA-DRB1*11 or HLA-DRB1*13 alleles in K immunised patients, which could be due to specific K peptide presentation by HLA-DR molecules.     

人类白细胞抗原DRB1基因与肺结核的相关性研究

目的探讨HLA-DRB1基因多态性与肺结核(PTB)的遗传关联性及其与临床表现的关系。方法采用聚合酶链反应-序列特异性引物(PCR-SSP)方法,对74例PTB患者及90名正常人的HLA-DRB1等位基因进行分型。结果与对照组相比,PTB病例组的DRB1*15等位基因频率显著增高(34.3%比17.0%,Pc<0.05,RR=2.91),HLA-DRB1*12基因频率高(15.4%比7.5%),但统计学上无显著性差异(Pc>0.05);而DRB1*11基因频率显著低于对照组(1.4%比9.9%,Pc<0.05,RR=0.12)。HLA-DRB1*15阳性患者中复治病例数和耐药病例数均显著高于HLA-DRB1*15阴性组(P<0.05)。结论HLA-DRB1*15可能是PTB的易感基因,DRB1*11可能为保护基因,HLA-DRB1*15基因与PTB临床特征有一定相关性。     

Aplastic anemia is associated with HLA-DRB1*1501 in northern Han Chinese

It has been reported that aplastic anemia (AA) is more common in HLA-DR2-positive individuals than in the general population. We investigated the frequency of some HLA loci of 102 Northern Han Chinese patients with AA and 105 healthy control subjects. Polymerase chain reaction and sequence specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization were used to determine HLA-DR- and HLA-DR2-related DRB1 alleles. The frequency of DR2 is increased in AA patients; the relative risk (RR) was 2.86, and the difference was significant (chi 2 = 11.1, P = .004). The RR of HLA-DRB1*1501 was 3.07, and the difference was significant (chi 2 = 9.42, P = .008). The above results suggest that HLA-DR2 is significantly associated with AA in Northern Han Chinese. HLA-DRB1*1501 is the main subtype of HLA-DR2, and may be the susceptibility gene of AA.     

Influence of HLA-DRB1 alleles on Th1 and Th2 cytokine response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens in pulmonary tuberculosis

The influence of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) on the immune response is well established. We investigated the regulatory role of HLA-DRB1 alleles on cytokine response to live M. tuberculosis and its culture filtrate antigen (CFA) in normal healthy subjects (NHS) and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. Th1 (IFN-gamma and IL-12p40), Th2 (IL-4 and IL-5), pro-inflammatory (IL-6 and IL-8) and anti-inflammatory (TGF-beta and IL-10) cytokines were measured by ELISA in 72-h-old peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture supernatants from 58 NHS and 48 PTB patients. HLA-DRB1 genotyping was carried out by polymerase chain reaction and dot-blot hybridization with biotinylated sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes and detection by chemiluminescence. In response to live M. tuberculosis and CFA, significantly increased levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TGF-beta and decreased IFN-gamma, IL-12p40 and IL-10 were seen in PTB patients compared to NHS. We observed a significantly increased IFN-gamma response in HLA-DRB1*03-positive NHS (p=0.03) and decreased IFN-gamma response in HLA-DRB1*15-positive patients (p=0.04) than respective allele-negative individuals. An increased level of IL-12p40 in DRB1*10 (p=0.02) and IL-10 in DRB1*12- (p=0.03) positive NHS and an increased level of IL-6 in DRB1*04- (p=0.02) positive patients were observed. The study suggests that HLA-DRB1 alleles differentially modulate the various cytokine responses to M. tuberculosis antigens, which may influence the cellular and humoral immune responses to M. tuberculosis infection in a susceptible host.     

Association of the HLA-DRB1 gene with susceptibility to aortoarteritis in a Chinese Han population.

Aortoarteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease mainly affecting the aorta and its major branches. Recent immunogenetic studies indicate that certain human leucocyte antigen (HLA) alleles are significantly associated with aortoarteritis in several populations. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the HLA-DRB1 alleles and aortoarteritis in a Chinese Han population. HLA-DRB1 genotypes were identified by PCR-SSP and PCR-RFLP in 84 Chinese patients with aortoarteritis and 102 healthy Chinese controls. It was found that the HLA-DRB1*04 allele (38.1% in patients vs. 15.7% in controls, p<0.001, relative risk (RR)=2.43) and the HLA-DRB1*07 allele (47.6% vs. 10.8%, p<0.001, RR = 4.42) were significantly associated with aortoarteritis. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the frequency of the DRB1*0405 subtype between the patient and control groups. Thus the susceptibility to aortoarteritis in this Chinese Han population was closely related with the HLA-DRB1*04 and DRB1*07 alleles. Thus individuals with the HLA-DRB1*04 and DRB1*07 alleles may be at higher risk for developing aortoarteritis.     

Association of HLA-DRB1*15:02 and DRB5*01:02 allele with the susceptibility to systemic sclerosis in Thai patients

A genetic study, particularly in HLA-DRs, has never been performed in Thai patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study was performed to investigate the association between the HLA-DR series in Thai SSc patients. HLA-DR subtypes were determined in 50 Thai SSc patients and 99 healthy controls (HCs). All SSc patients met the ACR classification criteria for SSc. HLA-DR typing was performed using INNO-LiPA HLA-DRB Decoder kits (INNOGENETICS) and reconfirmed using MICRO SSP HLA DNA Typing kits (ONE LAMBDA). The allele frequency (AF) of HLA-DR*15, compared with HC, was significantly higher in all SSc patients (41.0 vs 21.7 %, Pc = 0.0083) and SSc patients with anti-Scl70 antibody positive (anti-Scl70+) (47.1 %, Pc = 0.0018). Among the HLA-DR*15 alleles, the AF of the DRB1*15:02 was increased significantly in all SSc patients (29.0 vs 12.6 %, Pc = 0.0219) and SSc patients with anti-Scl70+ (32.4 vs 12.6 %, Pc = 0.0196). The AF of the HLA-DRB5*01:02 allele was also increased in all SSc patients (27.0 vs 12.6 %, Pc = 0.0166) and in SSc patients with anti-Scl70+ (29.4 %, Pc = 0.0124). The AF of the DR*04 was significantly lower in the SSc patients (1.0 vs 9.6 %, Pc = 0.0399). However, the AF of the DRB1*15:02 and DRB5*01:02 was not different among SSc patients with or without clinical manifestations (pulmonary fibrosis, digital pitting scar, sclerodactyly, myositis, and sicca symptoms). In addition, there was no significant association between clinical manifestations among individuals who carried HLA-DRB1*15:02 or DRB5*01:02. HLA-DRB1*15:02 and DRB5*01:02 alleles were significantly elevated in Thai SSc patients, especially in those with anti-Scl70+. The HLA-DRB1*04 was a protective allele against Thai SSc patients.     

Association between HLA-DR B1 and clinical features of adult onset Still's disease in Korea

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether HLA-DR alleles are associated with the development and clinical features of Adult Onset Still's Disease (AOSD) in Korea. METHODS: Forty-seven patients (41 women, 6 men, mean age at diagnosis 31.6 yr) meeting Yamaguchi's criteria for AOSD and 144 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The patients with AOSD were subdivided into groups according to their chronicity: monocyclic systemic, polycyclic systemic, and chronic destructive type, and were furthermore classified as non-articular, oligoarticular or polyarticular types (having arthritis involving 5 or more joints) according to the extent of articular involvement. HLA-DRB1 genotypes were assessed by PCR-SSOP. RESULTS: Patients with AOSD had more frequent DRB1*12 (p = 0.028, relative risk (RR) = 2.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-4.80) and DRB1*15 (p = 0.013, RR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.17-4.00). They had less frequent DRB1*04 (p = 0.006, RR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16-0.75) compared to controls. DRB1*14 (p = 0.011, RR = 3.80, 95% CI: 1.27-11.31) were associated with the monocyclic systemic type. CONCLUSION: Korean AOSD patients had more frequent DRB1*12 and DRB1*15, and less frequent HLA-DRB1*04. The patients with the monocyclic systemic type had more frequent DRB1*14 alleles. This study suggests that Korean AOSD patients have distinct immunogenetic profiles, and that it would be valuable to assess the relationships between HLA-DRB1 genes and polymorphisms of proinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of AOSD.     

Analysis of HLA-DRB1 alleles in Japanese patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia

To clarify the association between HLA-DRB1 alleles and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), the HLA-DRB1 allele frequencies in 50 Japanese patients each with b2a2 and b3a2 CML and 127 healthy Japanese individuals were examined. In the patients with b2a2 CML, the frequencies of HLA-DRB1*0405, DRB1*08032, and DRB1*1502 were low and that of HLA-DRB1*1201 was high in comparison with the healthy individuals. The frequencies of HLA-DRB1*0403, DRB1*0802, DRB1*1403, and DRB1*1405 were high, and those of HLA-DRB1*08032 and DRB1*1501 were low in the patients with b3a2 CML. The present results suggest positive and negative associations between certain HLA-DRB1 alleles and CML.     

Influence of shared epitope-negative HLA-DRB1 alleles on genetic susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: Most patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) express the shared epitope (SE). It is not known whether SE-negative HLA-DRB1 alleles influence the development of RA. This study examined the influence of SE-negative HLA-DR alleles (DRB1*X) on the development of RA in 3 different French populations. METHODS: HLA-DRB1 alleles were defined by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridization or sequence-specific primers. SE-negative alleles were classified according to the electric charge of their P4 pocket. HLA-DRB1 alleles *0103, *0402, *07, *08, *11 (except *1107), *12, and *13 have a neutral or negative P4 charge and are called DRB1*XP4n. HLA-DRB1*03, *0403, *0406, *0407, *0901, *1107, *14, *15, and *16 have a positive P4 charge and are called DRB1*XP4p. RESULTS: Among the SE-negative subjects, DRB1 genotypes with 1 or 2 DRB1*XP4n alleles were significantly overrepresented in the control subjects compared with the RA patients, whereas DRB1*XP4p/XP4p genotypes were equally represented in the patients and controls. In single-dose SE-positive subjects, SE/XP4n genotypes were equally represented in the patients and controls. However, SE/XP4p genotypes were significantly overrepresented in the RA patients. CONCLUSION: The DRB1*X allele polymorphism influences susceptibility to RA. Alleles that have a neutral or negative electric charge in their P4 pocket (DRB1*XP4n), such as DRB1*0103, *0402, *07, *08, *11 (except *1107), *12, and *13, protect against RA. Alleles that have a positive electric charge in their P4 pocket (DRB1*XP4p), such as DRB1*03, *0403, *0406, *0407, *0901, *1107, *14, *15, and *16, have no influence on the predisposition to RA.     

上海地区Ⅰ型自身免疫性肝炎与HLA-DRB1等位基因的相关性研究

目的 分析HLA－DRB1等位基因与上海地区I型自身免疫性肝炎（AIH）的相关性，探讨AIH的遗传易感背景。方法 采用序列特异性多聚酶链反应（PCR－SSP），对32例I型AIH患者和48例健康对照者进行HLA－DRB1等位基因及有关基因亚型的分析。结果 HLA－DR4基因频率在I型AIH患者中较健康对照组显著增高[46.9%与20.8%；相对危险度（RR）＝3．35，χ^2=5.99,P=0.014]。其他等位基因在两组间差异无显著性。进一步对HLA－DR4等位基因亚型的分析表明，I型AIH患者组DRB1^*0405的基因频率较健康对照组有增加趋势（21．9％与6．3％，χ^2=4.23,P=0.04，但Pc=0.08)。HLA－DRβ分子的第3等位基因高变区第71位精氨酸残基的频率在I型AHI患者中显著增高（46.9%与18.8%,χ^2=7.14,P=0.008)。结论 上海地区I型AIH的发病与HLA－DR4以及HLA－DRB1第3高变区DR7位精氨酸残基相关。     

Relationship of human leukocyte antigen class Ⅱ genes with the susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection and the response to interferon in HBV-infected patients

AIM: To study the relationship of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles with the genetic susceptibility to HBV infection and the response to interferon (IFN) in HBV-infected patients.METHODS: Low-resolution DNA typing kit was used to determine HLA-DR-1 and -DQB1 genes in 72 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and HLA-DRB1 in 200 healthy people ready to donate their bone marrow in Shanghai.Among CHB patients, 35 were treated with IFNα-1b for 24 wk.RESULTS: The frequencies of HLA-DRB1*06, DRB1*08and DRB1*16 alleles in 72 patients were higher than in 200 healthy people (2.08% vs0%, OR = 3.837, P= 0.018;11.11% vs5.50%, OR = 2.148, P= 0.034; and 6.94% vs 3.00%, OR = 0.625, P = 0.049, respectively); whereas that of DRB1*07 allele was lower (2.78% vs 7.75%,OR = 0.340, P = 0.046). The frequency of HLA-DRB1* 14allele was higher in 11 responders to IFN compared with 24 non-responders (18.18% vs2.08%, OR = 10.444,P = 0.031), whereas that of DQB1*07 allele was inverse (9.09% vs 37.50%, OR = 0.167, P= 0.021).CONCLUSION: The polymorphism of HLA class Ⅱ may influence the susceptibility to HBV infection and the response to IFN in studied CHB patients. Compared with other HLA-DRB1 alleles, HLA-DRB1*06, DRB1*08, and DRB1*16 may be associated with chronicity of HBV infection, HLA-DRB1*07 with protection against HBV infection, and HLA-DRB1*14 allele may be associated with a high rate of the response of CHB patients to IFN treatment.Compared with other HLA-DQB1 alleles, HLA-DQB1*07 may be associated with low response rate to IFN.     

Relationship of human leukocyte antigen class Ⅱ genes with the susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection and the response to interferon in HBV-infected patients

AIM: To study the relationship of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles with the genetic susceptibility to HBV infection and the response to interferon (IFN) in HBV-infected patients. METHODS: Low-resolution DNA typing kit was used to determine HLA-DR-1 and -DQB1 genes in 72 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and HLA-DRB1 in 200 healthy people ready to donate their bone marrow in Shanghai. Among CHB patients, 35 were treated with IFNa-lb for 24 wk. RESULTS: The frequencies of HLA-DRB1~*06, DRB1~*08 and DRB1~*16 alleles in 72 patients were higher than in 200 healthy people (2.08% vs0%, OR=3.837, P=0.018; 11.11% vs 5.50%, OR=2.148, P=0.034; and 6.94% vs 3.00%, OR=0.625, P=0.049, respectively); whereas that of DRB1~*07 allele was lower (2.78% vs 7.75%, OR=0.340, P=0.046). The frequency of HLA-DRB1~*14 allele was higher in 11 responders to IFN compared with 24 non-responders (18.18% vs 2.08%, OR=10.444, P=0.031), whereas that of DQB1*07 allele was inverse (9.09% vs 37.50%, OR=0.167, P=0.021). CONCLUSION: The polymorphism of HLA class II may influence the susceptibility to HBV infection and the response to IFN in studied CHB patients. Compared with other HLA-DRB1 alleles, HLA-DRB1~*06, DRB1~*08, and DRB1~*16 may be associated with chronicity of HBV infection, HLA-DRB1~*07 with protection against HBV infection, and HLA-DRB1~*14 allele may be associated with a high rate of the response of CHB patients to IFN treatment. Compared with other HLA-DQB1 alleles, HLA-DQB1~*07 may be associated with low response rate to IFN.     

应用基因芯片分析HLA-DRB与晚期肝脾型日本血吸虫病的相关性

目的 探讨人类白细胞抗原Ⅱ类(HLA-Ⅱ）基因多态性与晚期肝脾型日本血吸虫病的遗传关联性。 方法 应用基因芯片分析技术对武汉市蔡甸45例晚期肝脾型日本血吸虫病患者（实验组）和44例慢性日本血吸虫病患者（对照组）的HLA-Ⅱ基因DRB位点等位基因进行基因分型，并比较两组各等位基因频率以及与晚期肝脾型日本血吸虫病的相关性。 结果 实验组HLA-DRB1*04x等位基因频率明显高于对照组（P＜0.01， RR=3.928），而对照组HLA-DRB1*15x等位基因频率明显高于实验组（P＜0.01， RR=0.050）。等位基因DRB1*15x总与DRB5*010x/020x连锁，对照组DRB1*15x-DRB5*010x/020x连锁体频率明显高于实验组（P＜0.01）。 结论 HLA-DRB1*04x与晚期肝脾型日本血吸虫病呈正相关，而HLA-DRB1*15x与晚期血吸虫病呈负相关。     

MHC class II alleles in Mexican patients with rheumatic heart disease

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an autoimmune sequel of group A streptococcal infection that has been associated with the presence of some major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of class II alleles in the genetic susceptibility to RHD in Mexican patients and establish the relationship of these alleles with the pattern of valve damage. METHODS: HLA-DR, -DQA1 and -DQB1 allele frequencies were determined by PCR-SSO reverse dot blot and PCR-SSP in 98 Mexican Mestizo patients with RHD and 99 healthy controls. Patients were divided into mitral valve damage (n=46), multivalvular lesion (n=49) and aortic damage (n=3). RESULTS: RHD patients presented an HLA-DR16 increased frequency (pC=0.009, OR=3.9) and a decreased HLA-DR11 frequency (pC=0.018) when compared to healthy controls. HLA-DR16 subtyping showed that DRB1*1602 was the DR16 allele increased in patients (pC=0.007, OR=5.3). Haplotype analysis showed increased frequency of DR16-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0301 in RHD patients when compared to healthy controls (pC=0.011). HLA-DR16 frequency remained significantly increased on patients with multivalvular lesion (pC=0.004, OR=4.8). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest an important participation of Amerindian autochthonous HLA-DR16 (DRB1*1602) allele and DR16-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0301 haplotype as markers for RHD genetic susceptibility in the Mexican Mestizo population. HLA-DR16 allele could also play an important role in determining the pattern of valve damage on these patients.     

HLA-DRB1 antigens in Taiwanese patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: This study was done to investigate the frequency of HLA-DRB1 antigens in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Taiwanese population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four Taiwanese patients with juvenile onset SLE and 200 unrelated healthy controls were studied. HLA-DRB1 typing was performed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (SSO) typing method. RESULT: Among the 14 investigated DRB1 alleles, the frequency of HLA-DRB1*1602 was higher in juvenile onset SLE patients than the controls (15.15% vs 4.50%, odds ratio 3.66, 95% confidence interval 1.15-11.68, Pc = 0.04). Although there were differences in the frequencies of DRB1*0301, DRB1*0803, and DRB1*1501 between patients and controls, the associations were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: The frequency of HLA-DRB1*1602 was significantly higher in patients with juvenile onset SLE than in healthy controls. This finding differs from those in the previous studies in Caucasian and Japanese adult onset SLE patients.     

Influence of HLA-DR genes on the production of rheumatoid arthritis-specific autoantibodies to citrullinated fibrinogen

OBJECTIVE: Antibodies directed against citrullinated fibrinogen are highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was undertaken to test whether RA-associated HLA-DR alleles are associated with anti-citrullinated fibrinogen in RA patient sera and whether replacement of arginyl by citrullyl residues on fibrinogen peptides modifies their binding to HLA-DR molecules and their recognition by T cells. METHODS: Antikeratin, antifilaggrin, and anti-citrullinated fibrinogen antibodies were assayed in RA patients who had undergone HLA-DR typing. Direct assays were performed to investigate binding of citrullinated or native fibrinogen peptides (encompassing the entire alpha- and beta-chains of fibrinogen) to purified HLA-DR molecules. T cell proliferative responses to citrullinated or native fibrinogen peptides were measured in RA patients and controls. RESULTS: HLA-DRB1*0404 was associated with anti-citrullinated fibrinogen in RA sera (P = 0.002). For the RA-associated alleles HLA-DRB1*0401 and HLA-DR1, there was a nonsignificant trend toward association (P = 0.07). Multiple peptides from the alpha- and beta-chains of fibrinogen bound many HLA-DR alleles; DRB1*0404 was the best fibrinogen peptide binder. Citrullination did not influence fibrinogen peptide binding to HLA-DR or fibrinogen peptide recognition by T cells. Peripheral blood T cells that recognized native or citrullinated fibrinogen peptides were common in RA patients but not in healthy controls. CONCLUSION: The RA-associated HLA-DRB1*0404 allele is also associated with production of antibodies to citrullinated fibrinogen. DRB1*0401 and DRB1*01 tend to be associated with anti-citrullinated fibrinogen, but this is not statistically significant. Citrullination of fibrinogen peptide does not influence peptide-DR-T cell interaction. Finally, T cell proliferation in response to citrullinated or uncitrullinated fibrinogen peptides is frequent in RA patients and very infrequent in controls.     

HLA-DRB3*0101 is associated with Graves' disease in Jamaicans

OBJECTIVES: Graves' disease is associated with different human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes in different populations. This studywasdesigned to examinethe HLA class II associations with Graves' disease in Jamaicans. PATIENTS: One hundred and six Jamaicans with Graves' disease and 104 controls. DESIGN: Oligotyping for HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DQA1 and DQB1 alleles was performed using the polymerase chain reaction sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-SSOP) technique. RESULTS The frequency of HLA-DRB3 *0101 was increased significantly in the patients compared to controls (38.7% vs. 19.2%; RR = 2.72; Pc < 0.015). The protective alleles for Graves' disease were DRB1 *0901 (0.9% vs. 20.2%; RR = 0.04; Pc < 0.001), DRB1*1001 (0.0% vs. 11%; RR = 0.0%; Pc < 0.01) and DRB4 *0101 (0.0% vs. 12.5%; RR = 0.0; Pc < 0.05). A high female to male ratio of Graves' disease, 25 :1, was observed. Other associated autoimmune diseases were rare and no significant HLA class II associations were found with clinical markers of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Jamaican patients with Graves' disease share the DRB3 *0101 susceptible allele and the DRB4 *01 protective allele but not the susceptible haplotype DRB1 *0301, DRB3*0101, DQA1*0501 with Caucasians.