Human leukocyte antigen haplotype and autoantibodies of a family with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

A search for HLA haplotypes of a family of five indicated that four members had the same haplotype. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had already developed in three of these four people. SLE has now developed in the remaining person, and the result is that all the members of the family having the same haplotype will develop SLE. Regarding these four SLE patients, the types of autoantibodies and the symptoms were different in each person, so the idea that this haplotype is strongly related to the onset of SLE but minimally related to the symptoms was suggested.

Three siblings with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…Of these genes, only DR4 was detected in all three sisters; however, we did not find any obvious correlation between HLA type and specific autoantibodies. In previous reports, most sibling pairs showed identical HLA types, 13 while other sib‐pairs shared some common HLA types 1 . For example, DR4 and A2 were the common HLA types (“common sibling HLA types”) detected in all the three sisters in the present case.…”

“…In previous reports, most sibling pairs showed identical HLA types, 13 while other sibpairs shared some common HLA types. 1 For example, DR4 and A2 were the common HLA types (''common sibling HLA types'') detected in all the three sisters in the present case. Moreover, A2 was the most frequent common sibling HLA type that was found in four of five Japanese sib-pairs.…”

“…Moreover, A2 was the most frequent common sibling HLA type that was found in four of five Japanese sib-pairs. 1 However, interestingly, A2 is not supposed to be associated with SLE in Japanese people. Because of the small numbers of cases, it could be a coincidence but still it is possible that A2 may be related to occurrence of SLE in siblings.…”

“…Like other collagen diseases, familial occurrence of SLE has been reported both in Japanese and white populations. [1][2][3][4] A study of 125 families reported that the relationship between affected members was 45% for siblings, 31% for parents and offspring, and 24% for second-degree relatives. 5 Moreover, in families with an SLE-affected member, siblings have a 20-fold higher risk of SLE than the general population, 6 thereby suggesting a genetic component.…”

“…It is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, hematological disorders, hypocomplementemia and so on. Like other collagen diseases, familial occurrence of SLE has been reported both in Japanese and white populations 1–4 . A study of 125 families reported that the relationship between affected members was 45% for siblings, 31% for parents and offspring, and 24% for second‐degree relatives 5 .…”