title: Increased frequency of class I and II anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma and associated factors: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is significant autoantibody production in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and scleroderma (SSc); microchimerism is also thought to play a role in pathogenesis. We determined the frequency of anti-HLA antibodies in SLE and SSc patients and evaluated associated clinical factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 77 SLE patients, 46 SSc patients and 53 healthy controls into the study. Clinical data about the patients were obtained from hospital records. Anti-human leukocyte (anti-HLA) antigen antibody analysis of sera was performed by applying Lifecodes anti-HLA Class I and Class II Screening kits based on xMAP technology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequencies of class I and II anti-HLA antibodies were significantly higher in SLE (27.3% and 41.6%) and SSc (26.1% and 41.3%) groups than in healthy controls (1.9% and 5.7%) (all P < 0.001). Frequencies of thrombocytopenia (P = 0.021), anti-ribonucleoprotein (P = 0.037) and anti-Ro (P = 0.027) were significantly higher in the class I antibody-positive SLE group; however, pericarditis was less frequent (P = 0.05). On the other hand, the class II antibody-positive SLE group had more frequent anti-ribosomal P antibody (P = 0.038), but less frequent active disease (P = 0.038). In the SSc group, class I antibody-positive patients had more frequent digital ulcers (P = 0.048) and anti-centromere antibodies (P = 0.01). There was no association of anti-HLA antibodies with pulmonary hypertension and interstitial fibrosis in SSc patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both class I and class II antibodies were found to be significantly increased in SLE and SSc. Rather than major organ involvement, anti-HLA antibodies were associated with the presence of other antibodies in both diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hilmi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tozkir
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Omer Nuri
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Pamuk
authors.affiliation: Trakya University Health Services Vocational College, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Julide
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duymaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gurkan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yazar
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Okan University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gulce
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sari
authors.affiliation: Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hazel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanrikulu
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gulsum Emel
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Pamuk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012698:Serologic Tests; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
keywords: anti-HLA class I antibody; anti-HLA class II antibody; scleroderma; systemic lupus erythematosus