HLA and infectious diseases.
Following their discovery in the early 1970s, classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci have been the prototypical candidates for genetic susceptibility to infectious disease. Indeed, the original hypothesis for the extreme variability observed at HLA loci (H-2 in mice) was the major selective pressure from infectious diseases. Now that both the human genome and the molecular basis of innate and acquired immunity are understood in greater detail, do the classical HLA loci still stand out as major genes that determine susceptibility to infectious disease? This review looks afresh at the evidence supporting a role for classical HLA loci in susceptibility to infectious disease, examines the limitations of data reported to date, and discusses current advances in methodology and technology that will potentially lead to greater understanding of their role in infectious diseases in the future.
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, P.O. Box 855, West Perth, Western Australia, Australia 6872. jmb37@cam.ac.uk
Jenefer M
JM
Blackwell
Sarra E
SE
Jamieson
David
D
Burgner
D000818:Animals; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology
D006680:HLA Antigens; D014612:Vaccines