Human leukocyte antigen and autoantibodies association with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus

In this study we investigated the association between autoantibodies production and MHC class II alleles in fifty three Egyptian children patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A significant association was found between expression of HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR13 genes and the generation of anti-ribonucleoprotein and IgG cardiolipin antibodies respectively, in contrast to the negative association of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) with HLA-DR8 and HLA-DR14. Analysis of HLA-DR alleles and autoantibodies frequencies in relation to different clinical manifestations revealed significant association between HLA-DR13 and vasculitis, while, HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR3 were significantly associated with seizures. In contrast, HLA-DR8, HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR52 alleles were associated with significant protection from arthritis, abnormal kidney function and neuropsychiatric disorders, respectively. SLE autoantibodies, namely anti-DNA antibodies were significantly associated with disturbed kidney function tests and the occurrence of seizures. In contrast, nucleosome antibodies showed no association with renal involvement in childhood onset systemic lupus erythematosus.