title: HLA class II alleles and genetic predisposition to the antiphospholipid syndrome.
abstract: The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Its etiology is linked to genetic predisposition, which is accounted for, at least in part, by genes of major histocompatibility complex (HLA system). The association of APS with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles is a consequence of the association of aPL with HLA alleles. Some HLA alleles carry the risk to produce aPL, and this is independent of the clinical context. In fact, we find the same associations between HLA and aPL in primary APS and in APS secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The association of HLA-DR4, -DR7, -DRw53 and -DQB1*0302 with aCL that has been demonstrated in primary APS can also be found in SLE, a disease with a completely different pattern of HLA allele association (DR2, DR3, DRw52). In addition, the various aPL (anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, anti-beta2GPI antibodies, antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies) show similar HLA association, again independent of the clinical context (primary APS or SLE), and across various ethnic groups.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa Complessa di Reumatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo--Forlanini, Circonvallazione Gianicolense n. 87, 00152 Rome, Italy. gsebastiani@scamilloforlanini.rm.it
authors.forename: Gian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Domenico Sebastiani
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minisola
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galeazzi
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens