A study of HLA class II antigens in an Italian paediatric population with coeliac disease.
One hundred and twenty-one Italian children with coeliac disease (CD) have been compared with a control population from the same geographical area for the distribution of HLA-DR and DQ antigens. The pattern of an increase in DR3, DR7, and of heterozygotes DR5/7 was associated with an excess of heterozygotes DQw2/DQw3 in the CD population. These findings suggest that epitopes determined by specific combinations of DQ alpha and beta chains (combinatorial determinants) predispose to the disease.
Morellini
M
M
I. Cattedra Genetica Medica, Università degli Studi La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
Trabace
S
S
Mazzilli
M C
MC
Lulli
P
P
Cappellacci
S
S
Bonamico
M
M
Margarit
I
I
Gandini
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male
D006681:HLA-D Antigens