title: Genetic analysis of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
abstract: METHODS
  The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes in families of patients with known ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) were reviewed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To clarify how genetic factors relate to the development of OPLL.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The association between genetic factors and the development of OPLL is still unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  The association between HLA haplotypes and OPLL was studied in families of 24 patients with OPLL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of OPLL was higher in the siblings showing a higher share of identical HLA haplotypes: 10 (53%) of 19 with concurrence of two strands, and 5 (24%) of 21 with concurrence of one strand. Of 21 subjects who had no HLA haplotype identical with that in OPLL patients, only one showed evidence of OPLL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genetic factors predispose toward the development of OPLL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Japan. shunji@med1.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D006239:Haplotypes; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017887:Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens