HLA in pigment dispersion and glaucoma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Immunogenetics

Background:

• Previous research suggested a link between specific Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) types and pigment dispersion syndrome.
• The prevalence of HLA-B13 and Bw17 was previously reported in patients with pigment dispersion syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association of histocompatibility antigens with pigment dispersion syndrome.
• To re-evaluate the prevalence of specific HLA antigens in patients with pigment dispersion syndrome and glaucoma.

Main Methods:

• Histocompatibility antigen typing was performed on 12 Caucasian patients diagnosed with pigment dispersion syndrome.
• Statistical analysis was used to compare antigen frequencies with control populations.

Main Results:

• The increased prevalence of HLA-B13 and Bw17 observed in an earlier study was not confirmed in this cohort.
• No significant increase in HLA-B7 and B12 was found in glaucoma patients, with or without pigment dispersion syndrome.
• A significant increase in HLA-Bw35 was identified in Caucasian patients with primary open-angle glaucoma in the Greater Detroit area.

Conclusions:

• The specific HLA antigen associations suggested by prior research for pigment dispersion syndrome were not replicated.
• HLA-Bw35 may be a relevant genetic marker for primary open-angle glaucoma in Caucasian populations within the studied region.