Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in New Zealand Maori: a relationship with Class I but not Class II histocompatibility locus antigens.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possibility of a relationship between the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Maori. Such relationships have previously been shown in non-European races with a high incidence of NIDDM.


METHODS
We performed serological Class I and PCR-SSP Class II HLA typing on 44 Maori with NIDDM and renal failure and compared the results with normal Maori.


RESULTS
A strong relationship with the HLA-B40 groups of antigens (relative risk 5.1 chi 2 = 16.8, p < 0.001) was found; this was mainly attributable to HLA-B48 and HLA-B60. There was no HLA Class II relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
The relationship with HLA-B40 antigens suggests that the MHC or other genes on chromosome 6 play a role in NIDDM in Maori.
Department of Medicine, Auckland Hospital.
I
I
Dittmer
G
G
Woodfield
I
I
Simpson
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics*
D015235:HLA-B Antigens