Scleroderma: DR antigens, autoantibodies and clinical manifestations

The relationship between anticentromere antibodies (ACA), antitopoisomerase I or Scleroderma 70 (Scl-70) antibodies, HLA-DR antigens, and clinical manifestations of scleroderma were examined in 51 patients defined by ARA criteria. No association between a given HLA-DR antigen and either ACA or anti-Scl-70 was found. Statistically significant associations were noted for patients with ACA who had a lower frequency of arthritis and longer disease duration; anti-Scl-70 patients were more likely to be males with a higher frequency of pulmonary, cardiac and sicca symptoms.