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Type 1 diabetes and the HLA-D locus
Diabetologia
|January 1, 1980
Summary
Type 1 diabetes susceptibility is strongly linked to HLA-DW3. Other human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, like DW4 and DW2, interact with HLA-DW3, influencing the risk for developing Type 1 diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Endocrinology
- Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes (Type 1 A) is an autoimmune disease with known genetic links to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex.
- Previous research suggests associations between specific HLA-B locus antigens and Type 1 diabetes risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association of specific HLA-D specificities with Type 1 diabetes.
- To explore the interactions between different HLA-D alleles in conferring disease susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study comparing HLA-D specificities in 58 Type 1 diabetics and 43 healthy controls.
- Subject selection was based on known associations with HLA-B locus antigens.
Main Results:
- A primary association was found between Type 1 diabetes and HLA-DW3.
- Increased frequency of HLA-DW4 was observed, often co-existing with HLA-DW3.
- The lower frequency of HLA-DW2 was considered secondary to DW3 and/or DW4, not protective.
Conclusions:
- The findings support a hypothesis of interacting HLA-linked genes contributing to Type 1 diabetes susceptibility.
- Separate genetic mechanisms operating through HLA genes likely confer risk for young-onset Type 1 diabetes.