HLA antigens and the complement system in essential hypertension

Heredity factors are of great importance in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension, but their role was until recently not reliably proved. It was only after research into histocompatibility antigens that it was possible to discover the genetic determination of a number of diseases. The purpose of the study was to reveal the genetic factors raising the risk of essential hypertension (EH). In the population of Russian nationality in Moscow, suffering from EH, HLA antigens and certain complement components were investigated. The results showed an increased frequency of HLA-A11, HLA-B13 and HLA-Bw22. However, blood C3c and C4 concentration was in the studied group of patients significantly elevated, which attests to a possible participation of the complement system in the development of EH as a factor causing vasoconstriction. The results confirm the need for further study of the immunogenetic profile of patients with EH in order to clarify certain aspects of the pathogenesis of EH.