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HLA in primary open-angle glaucoma

D H Shin, B Becker, C E Bell

    International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology
    |January 1, 1977
    PubMed

    Insights

    Certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types are significantly more common in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. This finding suggests a potential genetic link between specific HLA antigens and POAG development.

    Area of Science:

    • Immunogenetics
    • Ophthalmology
    • Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system

    Background:

    • Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
    • The genetic factors influencing POAG susceptibility are not fully understood.
    • The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system plays a crucial role in immune responses and has been implicated in various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the association between specific HLA antigen profiles and the prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in Caucasian individuals.
    • To determine if certain HLA alleles are significantly more or less common in POAG patients compared to a control group.

    Main Methods:

    • Histocompatibility antigen typing was performed on 50 Caucasian patients diagnosed with POAG.
    • A control group of 50 Caucasian subjects with ocular hypertension but no glaucoma was included for comparison.
    • Statistical analysis was used to compare the frequencies of specific HLA antigens and their combinations between the POAG and control groups.

    Main Results:

    • Significantly higher prevalences of HLA-A3 (46%), HLA-B7 (52%), and HLA-B12 (50%) were observed in POAG patients compared to controls (p < 0.01).
    • The combined presence of HLA-B7 or HLA-B12 was found in 88% of POAG patients, a significantly higher frequency than in controls (p < 0.0005).
    • Specific HLA combinations, including HLA-A3-B7 and HLA-A3-B12, were also significantly more prevalent in the POAG group (p < 0.005).
    • Conversely, HLA-BW35 was found to be significantly less frequent in Caucasian POAG patients (8%) compared to controls (32%; p < 0.01).

    Conclusions:

    • The study identifies a significant association between specific HLA antigen profiles, particularly HLA-A3, HLA-B7, and HLA-B12, and an increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma in Caucasians.
    • The deficit of HLA-BW35 in POAG patients suggests a potential protective effect or a complex interaction within the HLA system.
    • These findings highlight the potential role of immunogenetic factors in the pathogenesis of POAG and warrant further investigation.

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