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Histocompatibility antigens in primary biliary cirrhosis
D E Johnston1, M M Kaplan, K B Miller
1Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|November 1, 1987
Summary
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients showed a higher frequency of the HLA-DR4 antigen compared to international controls. However, no overall significant association between screened Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) types and PBC was identified.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Gastroenterology
- Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease.
- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes are crucial in immune regulation and have been implicated in autoimmune diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between specific HLA antigens and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).
- To compare HLA antigen frequencies in PBC patients with international and local Caucasian populations.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind trial involving 71 PBC patients treated with colchicine or placebo.
- Analysis of HLA-A, -B, and -DR antigen frequencies using chi-squared tests.
- Comparison of patient antigen frequencies against international and local Caucasian panels.
Main Results:
- PBC patients exhibited a significantly higher frequency of the HLA-DR4 antigen (41.1%) compared to an international panel (21.1%, p<0.05).
- No significant difference in HLA-DR4 frequency was observed when compared to a local Caucasian panel (36.4%).
- No other significant associations between screened HLA antigens and PBC were detected.
Conclusions:
- The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DR4 antigen may be associated with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in certain populations.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of specific HLA alleles in PBC pathogenesis.
- The study did not find a broad correlation between screened HLA antigens and PBC.