title: HLA-TNF haplotype heterogeneity in Greek SLE patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine TNF microsatellite allele frequencies in SLE patients in the Greek population, where disease susceptibility is less associated with HLA-DR3 haplotypes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 46 Greek SLE patients were investigated. Allele frequencies for the TNF microsatellite markers a, b, c and d were determined using a fluorescence based DNA fragment sizing technique. HLA class II typing was performed using a molecular based technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Associations between SLE and DRB1*1501, *1601 and *0701 were observed and DRB1*0301 was only marginally increased in patients. Linkage disequilibrium was found between DRB1*1501 and TNF a11 and also for DR3 and TNF a2, b3, d2. Stratification of patients suggested that DRB*1501 and TNF a11 frequencies were higher in SLE patients with renal disease and TNF a2 and b 3 frequencies in those without, although these differences did not reach statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SLE in this Greek population appears to be associated with a number of HLA-DRB1 alleles. The development of renal complications in these patients may be related to the TNF polymorphism encoded on these HLA haplotypes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tarassi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carthy
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papasteriades
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boki
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikolopoulou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carcassi
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Ollier
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Hajeer
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D006115:Greece; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; C553502:HLA-DRB1*03:01 antigen; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha