HLA-DRB Alleles and Systematic Lupus Erythematosus in Jamaicans
HLA-DRB Alleles and Systematic Lupus Erythematosus in Jamaicans
Background: The human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and manifestations of SLE in different ethnic groups.
Methods: A DNA-based HLA-typing method was used to determine alleles of HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5 in Jamaican patients. A total of 70 patients and 100 control subjects were studied.
Results: HLA-DRB3*01/03 was significantly associated with susceptibility to SLE, while DRB1*15/16 was associated with the presence of oral ulcers in patients with SLE. The haplotype DRB1*13/14-DRB3*01/03 was also more frequent in SLE patients. No other significant associations were found.
Conclusion: The SLE HLA associations in Jamaicans differ from those in other black populations.
The etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still unknown, but its development is believed to be multifactorial, involving environmental and genetic components. Among the genetic loci most strongly implicated in susceptibility to SLE are various immune-response genes, including the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), MHC-linked, and non-MHC genes. It is envisaged that the identification of the genes involved in the development of SLE will further elucidate its pathogenesis and improve diagnosis and management. The strongest SLE MHC associations are those with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes. Systemic lupus erythematosus HLA associations vary with race and ethnicity and appear to be more easily established in homogenous populations. Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with HLA-DR3 in whites, while the predominant class II alleles in Asians are DR1 and DR2. It has proven more difficult to establish SLE HLA associations in admixed populations. The HLA allelic associations with different manifestations of SLE also vary with populations. A preliminary study using serologic methods failed to identify any significant positive HLA associations with SLE in Jamaicans, a genetically admixed, predominantly black population. In this report, DNA-based HLA-typing methods were used to study HLA class II genes in a larger cohort of Jamaican patients with SLE
Background: The human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and manifestations of SLE in different ethnic groups.
Methods: A DNA-based HLA-typing method was used to determine alleles of HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5 in Jamaican patients. A total of 70 patients and 100 control subjects were studied.
Results: HLA-DRB3*01/03 was significantly associated with susceptibility to SLE, while DRB1*15/16 was associated with the presence of oral ulcers in patients with SLE. The haplotype DRB1*13/14-DRB3*01/03 was also more frequent in SLE patients. No other significant associations were found.
Conclusion: The SLE HLA associations in Jamaicans differ from those in other black populations.
The etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still unknown, but its development is believed to be multifactorial, involving environmental and genetic components. Among the genetic loci most strongly implicated in susceptibility to SLE are various immune-response genes, including the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), MHC-linked, and non-MHC genes. It is envisaged that the identification of the genes involved in the development of SLE will further elucidate its pathogenesis and improve diagnosis and management. The strongest SLE MHC associations are those with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes. Systemic lupus erythematosus HLA associations vary with race and ethnicity and appear to be more easily established in homogenous populations. Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with HLA-DR3 in whites, while the predominant class II alleles in Asians are DR1 and DR2. It has proven more difficult to establish SLE HLA associations in admixed populations. The HLA allelic associations with different manifestations of SLE also vary with populations. A preliminary study using serologic methods failed to identify any significant positive HLA associations with SLE in Jamaicans, a genetically admixed, predominantly black population. In this report, DNA-based HLA-typing methods were used to study HLA class II genes in a larger cohort of Jamaican patients with SLE
