An immunogenetic study of familial scleroderma.
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of the HLA system in the genetic susceptibility to familial systemic sclerosis (SSc).


METHODS
HLA class I antigens were determined by classic serological methods and HLA-DRB, -DQA and -DQB genes were analysed by genetic typing in 36 individuals belonging to two families with several individuals affected by SSc.


RESULTS
The results did not show any association of the inheritance to SSc with any particular HLA allele in these families but revealed a striking frequency of ANA autoantibodies in healthy spouses of the members of these families.


CONCLUSIONS
The otherwise infrequent familial incidence of SSc does not appear to be primarily linked to the HLA system in this study but it is suggested that other unknown exogenous environmental factors could be implicated in the development of the disease in families.
de Juan
M D
MD
Servicio de Inmunologia, Hospital Ntra Sra de Aránzazu, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain.
Belzunegui
J
J
Belmonte
I
I
Barado
J
J
Figueroa
M
M
Cancio
J
J
Vidal
S
S
Cuadrado
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I