Histocompatibility (HLA) antigens and diabetic microangiopathy

To gain further insight into the genetic determinants of diabetic small vessel disease, we studied 22 HLA antigens in 110 juvenile-onset, insulin-dependent diabetics with terminal glomerulosclerosis and retinopathy, who were being prepared for kidney transplant. HLA antigens were comtemporarily determined in non-diabetic kidney transplant recipients and healthy controls. The frequency of antigens A1 and B8 were significantly higher in diabetics than in controls (P less than .02 and .011), but the frequency of BW15 was normal. The data are compatible with the concept that juvenile diabetes with microangiopathy is one of the HLA-B8 associated disorders.