Immunogenetic heterogeneity in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes among Japanese — HLA antigens and organ-specific autoantibodies

Summary HLA phenotypes and haplotypes in relation to organ-specific autoantibody responses were studied in 82 Japanese patients with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes. HLA-DRw9 antigen and HLA phenotype of DRw9/X (X: not DR4) were increased in patients with organ-specific autoantibodies other than islet cell antibody (CP<0.02, RR=4.02 and p<0.05, RR=2.30, respectively); whereas HLA-DR4 antigen and HLA phenotype of DR4/X (X: not DRw9) were increased in those without the autoantibodies (CP<0.001, RR=3.95 and p<0.01, RR=2.46, respectively). HLA haplotype of Bw61-DRw9 was increased in patients with the autoantibodies (p<0.005, RR=4.94), and HLA haplotype of Bw54-DR4 was increased in those without the autoantibodies (p<0.001, RR=5.52). The relative risk of HLA-DR4/DRw9 was the highest among all HLA-DR phenotypes or genotypes in patients either with or without the autoantibodies. No association was, however, found between the incidence of islet cell antibody and HLA-DR phenotypes. These findings suggest that Type 1 diabetes among Japanese is immunogenetically heterogeneous as is Type 1 diabetes among Caucasians; and the differences in HLA-association of Type 1 diabetes among ethnic groups might give a clue to understanding of a role of HLA-antigens in the development of Type 1 diabetes.