HLA-DR antigens and the antibody response against Epstein-Barr virus

Antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens, i.e. the viral capsid antigen (VCA) and the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA), were determined in two independent populations with known HLA-DR phenotypes. The first population consisted of 151 patients with rheumatoid arthritis; the second one of 88 healthy parents of leukemic children. Although the group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis differed significantly in the frequency of 4 DR antigens from the second group, both groups had the same correlation between HLA-DR antigens and the antibody response to EBV antigens. There was a significant correlation between HLA-DR1 and reduced titers of antibodies to VCA, whereas the persons with only one identifiable DR antigen had higher anti-VCA titers. The persons with HLA-DR5 had significantly higher anti-EBNA titers than those without DR5.