title: The Co-operative Specificity Theory: phenotypic protection from T1D by certain HLA Class II DRB1 and DQ alleles identifies the absence of co-operation between the respective DR and DQ molecules eventuating in no T1D-predisposition.
abstract: It is well established that both DR and DQ genes are involved in type 1 diabetes (T1D) -susceptibility. But how the DR and DQ molecules contrive to effect collectively the same function of T1D predisposition remains unexplained. We advance the Co-operative Specificity Theory which attempts to project the relationship by which this occurs. The Co-operative Specificity Theory says that what is involved and being observed is a phenomenon of specific reciprocal recognition between corresponding DR- and DQ-molecules in a haplotype, resulting in a co-operation that realizes effects: this specificity varies in degrees. It is a situation of co-operative participation restricted to a specific DR- and its corresponding specific DQ-molecules that results in susceptibility. Thus susceptibility may not result when a corresponding specific DR or DQ allele is substituted by a non-specific allele in the haplotype. It thus ensues that phenotypic protection identifies the absence of this specific co-operation between the respective DR and DQ molecules giving rise to no predisposition.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney NSW, Australia. temajo@grapevine.net.au
authors.forename: Norbert O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Temajo
authors.forename: Neville
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens