Chromosome 6p-encoded HLA-DR2 determination discriminates migraine without aura from migraine with aura

Segregation analysis indicates that migraine without aura (MWoA) and migraine with aura (MWA) have multifactorial inheritance, but involved genetic and environmental factors are largely unknown. A controlled study was performed to assess the HLA-driven liability to migraine and to verify if the heterogeneity between MWoA and MWA is HLA-linked. Forty-five migraine patients (31 MWoA, 14 MWA) and 53 healthy blood donors as controls, coming from the same geographic area, were studied. Tissue typing was performed using the standard complement-dependent microlymphocytotoxicity technique for HLA Class I and by PCR-SSP (Sequences Specific Primers) typing for HLA Class II. Data emerging from the present study showed no altered distribution for HLA Class I A, B, C antigen frequency in migraine (MWoA, MWA) if compared to the control group. HLA Class II DR2 antigen showed a decreased frequency in MWA group if compared with both MWoA (p = 0.01) and control group (p = 0.039, RR = 0.21). These results seem to support the hypothesis of a protective role of DR2 antigen in MWA and provide additional basis for the proposed difference within MWoA and MWA.