Analysis of HLA antigens in Japanese with oral lichen planus

Analysis of HLA antigens was performed in 42 Japanese patients with oral lichen planus (OLP). There were no significant differences in the frequency of HLA-A, B, C antigens between OLP-patients and control subjects, although a decreasing trend in the frequency of Bw 52 and an increasing trend in that of Bw 61 and Cw 3 was noted. Among the HLA-DR and DQ antigens studied, the frequency of DRw 9 was significantly increased (Pc less than 0.05, RR = 3.3) and the relative risk was increased (RR = 6.0) when DRw 9 was carried on as a Bw 61/DRw 9 haplotype. Our results suggest that HLA-associated genetic factors play a role to some extent in the development of OLP.