HLA antigens in Peyronie's disease

This study presents data on HLA phenotypes of 52 unrelated patients suffering from idiopathic Peyronie's disease. This first investigation on HLA class II antigens detected an association of HLA-DR3 and -DQw2 in this disorder. HLA typing was done from ACD-stabilized peripheral blood using the modified lymphocytotoxicity test. Antigen frequencies of the patient group were compared with those of healthy individuals of the local population. There were no deviations of frequencies for antigens of the B7 cross-reacting group as described in earlier studies. In addition none of the other class I antigens (HLA-A, -B, -C) showed any significant deviation in frequencies after correction of p values. Regarding class II antigens HLA-DR3 was detected in the patient group in 33.3% compared with 16.0% of the control population (corrected p < 0.05). The closely linked antigen DQw2 was found in 58.8 compared with 31.2% (corrected p < 0.005). Not only genetic factors can be stated by these findings. As HLA-DR3 and -DQw2 are known to be the typical associated antigens of organospecific autoimmune disorders, this suggests possible autoimmunological factors in this disorder of otherwise unknown etiology.