HLA Class II DNA Typing in a Large Series of European Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

The etiopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is complex and still largely unknown. Genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors contribute to disease susceptibility (1). The importance of genetic factors is documented by 1) the pronounced difference in concordance rates between monozygotic and dizygotic twins (15); 2) the higher disease prevalence in relatives of patients with SLE (14); 3) the higher prevalence of SLE in certain ethnic groups, like African Americans and some Native Americans (18); and 4) studies of murine SLE showing that some strains invariably develop the disease (23, 24).In humans, several genes contribute to lupus susceptibility. Their identification has been complicated by the fact that SLE is a heterogeneous disease, both clinically and immunologically (3); in addition, many of the susceptibility genes differ across the various populations ( 27), and it is well recognized that genetic

Clinical, Serologic, and Genetic Profiles of Patients With Associated Sjögren’s Syndrome and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

“…The more frequent representation of the SS specific DRB1*0301 allele has been described, rather than the SLE-specific DRB1*1501 and DQB1*0602 alleles in secondary SS associated with SLE [17][18][19][20]. Our results did not show significant difference in the occurrence of the investigated alleles in the three patient groups.…”

HLA-DRB1 alleles in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: renal histologic class correlations

“…None of our patients positive for antiribosomal P presented the HLA-DR4 or HLA-DR2 allele. For the interpretation of the present study it should be considered that clear associations between HLA region genes and SLE clinical and serological features could not be demonstrated because genes within or in linkage with the HLA region, such as DQ, DP, TNF-α, and C4 were not evaluated (14,16,19,28,34).…”

“…Fronek et al (7) and Doherty et al (6) described an association with HLA-DR2 and SLE nephritis in Americans. Lupus nephritis has also been associated with the HLA-DR3, HLA-DR15 and HLA-DR16 alleles in different ethnic groups (6,7,28). There is no description in the literature of an association between HLA alleles and SLE hematologic involvement.…”

“…There is no description in the literature of an association between HLA alleles and SLE hematologic involvement. Galeazzi et al (28) described an association between HLA-DRB1*03 and lung involvement in SLE. Alternatively, HLA-DRB1*04 was the most frequent allele in our patients with lung abnormality.…”

“…The anti-dsDNA antibody has been associated with the HLA-DR2, DR3, DR7, and DR15 alleles (2,28). The anti-Sm antibody has been associated with the HLA-DR2, HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR7 alleles, the anti-U1-RNP antibody with HLA-DR4, and the anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies with the HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR3 alleles (3,4,(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). The HLA-DRB1*15 allele was most frequent in our patients with positive anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, anti-U1-RNP, and anti-SSA/Ro antibodies, although an association could not be observed.…”