Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Microinjection of Recombinant RCAS(A) Retrovirus into Embryonic Chicken Lens
Published on: September 1, 2023
Human leukocyte antigen A29 subtypes associated with birdshot retinochoroidopathy
Ralph D Levinson1, Raja Rajalingam, Min S Park
1Ocular InflammatoryDisease Center and Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California 90095-7002, USA. levinson@jsei.ucla.edu <levinson@jsei.ucla.edu>
Purpose:
To determine whether birdshot retinochoroidopathy is associated with subtypes of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A29 other than HLA-A*2902.
Design:
Experimental study.
Methods:
High-resolution DNA typing of HLA-A29 subtypes was performed on blood from 20 subjects with birdshot retinochoroidopathy using polymerase chain reaction-based typing methods. Results were compared with published controls.
Results:
Four of 20 subjects (20%) had the HLA-A*2901 allele; two were homozygous for HLA-A*29, and both had the HLA-A*2901 and HLA-A*2902 alleles. Among 18 subjects with only one HLA-A*29 allele, the HLA-A*2902 allele was found in 16 (89%) and the HLA-A*2901 allele was found in two (11%). No subject was found to have HLA-A*2903, HLA-A*2904, HLA-A*2905, or HLA-A*2906.
Conclusions:
Both HLA-A*2901 and HLA-A*2902 are associated with birdshot retinochoroidopathy. Our data do not support the previous suggestion that the HLA-A29.1 serotype may be protective against development of birdshot retinochoroidopathy. Additional studies will be required to determine whether the other, less common subtypes are associated with the disease. HLA-A29 subtype testing is not required for the clinical evaluation of HLA-A29-positive patients with birdshot retinochoroidopathy.
