HLA-DRB3*0101 is associated with Graves' disease in Jamaicans.
OBJECTIVE
Graves' disease is associated with different human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes in different populations. This studywasdesigned to examinethe HLA class II associations with Graves' disease in Jamaicans.


METHODS
One hundred and six Jamaicans with Graves' disease and 104 controls.


METHODS
Oligotyping for HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DQA1 and DQB1 alleles was performed using the polymerase chain reaction sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-SSOP) technique. RESULTS The frequency of HLA-DRB3 *0101 was increased significantly in the patients compared to controls (38.7% vs. 19.2%; RR = 2.72; Pc < 0.015). The protective alleles for Graves' disease were DRB1 *0901 (0.9% vs. 20.2%; RR = 0.04; Pc < 0.001), DRB1*1001 (0.0% vs. 11%; RR = 0.0%; Pc < 0.01) and DRB4 *0101 (0.0% vs. 12.5%; RR = 0.0; Pc < 0.05). A high female to male ratio of Graves' disease, 25 :1, was observed. Other associated autoimmune diseases were rare and no significant HLA class II associations were found with clinical markers of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Jamaican patients with Graves' disease share the DRB3 *0101 susceptible allele and the DRB4 *01 protective allele but not the susceptible haplotype DRB1 *0301, DRB3*0101, DQA1*0501 with Caucasians.
Smikie
M F
MF
Department of Microbiology, University of the West Indies, Jamaica. msmikle@uwimona.edu.jm
Pascoe
R W
RW
Barton
E
E
Morgan
O
O
Christian
N
N
Dowe
G
G
Roye-Green
K
K
Bailey
V
V
James
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D059848:HLA-DQ alpha-Chains; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D059826:HLA-DRB3 Chains; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D059848:HLA-DQ alpha-Chains; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; C069050:HLA-DQA1 antigen; C069051:HLA-DQB1 antigen; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; C553502:HLA-DRB1*03:01 antigen; D059826:HLA-DRB3 Chains