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HLA class II alleles in Japanese patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

The association of various HLA class II loci with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) has yet to be fully elucidated. To determine whether there is an association of HLA class II genes (DR, DQ and DP alleles) with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), HLA class II genes for polymorphisms were analyzed at the DNA level in 111 patients with CD, 81 with UC and 525 healthy controls by the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe method. Allele and haplotype frequencies were compared between these populations. Results were as follows: 1) the presence of DQB1*0402 (RR=3.90, Pc=0.0001) was positively associated with CD; 2) the presence of DRB1*1502 (RR=4.51, P<1X10(-8)), DRB5*0102 (RR=4.70, Pc<1x10(-8)), DQA1*0103 (RR=3.72, Pc=1x10(-5)), DQB1*06011 (RR=3.78, PC=1x10(-5)), DPA1*0201 (RR=3.23, Pc=0.0001) and DPB1*0901 (RR=4.83, PC<1x10(8)) was positively associated and that of DRB4*0101 (RR=0.20, Pc<1X10(-8)) and DQA1*0302 (RR=0.34, Pc=0.001) negatively associated with UC; 3) haplotype analysis showed a positive association between the presence of DRB1*0410-DQA1*0302-DQB1*0402 and DRB1*0802-DQA1*0401-DQB1*0402 with CD, and a negative association between the presence of DRB1*1502-DQA1*0103-DQB1*06011 and CD, there was no association of DRB1*08032-DQA1*0103-DQB1*06011 with CD; and 4) in UC, a positive association with the presence of DRB1*1502-DQA1*0103-DQB1*06011 was found, but DRB1*08032-DQA1*0103-DQB1*06011 was not associated with it. In conclusion, in CD in the Japanese population, HLA-linked disease susceptibility alleles appear to be DQB1*0402 and DRB1*1502, a disease resistance allele. In UC, DRB1*1502 appears to be a disease susceptibility allele.

Adolescent↗

A predominant role for the HLA class II region in the association of the MHC region with multiple sclerosis.

Genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis is associated with genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), particularly HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 (ref. 1). Both locus and allelic heterogeneity have been reported in this genomic region. To clarify whether HLA-DRB1 itself, nearby genes in the region encoding the MHC or combinations of these loci underlie susceptibility to multiple sclerosis, we genotyped 1,185 Canadian and Finnish families with multiple sclerosis (n = 4,203 individuals) with a high-density SNP panel spanning the genes encoding the MHC and flanking genomic regions. Strong associations in Canadian and Finnish samples were observed with blocks in the HLA class II genomic region (P < 4.9 x 10(-13) and P < 2.0 x 10(-16), respectively), but the strongest association was with HLA-DRB1 (P < 4.4 x 10(-17)). Conditioning on either HLA-DRB1 or the most significant HLA class II haplotype block found no additional block or SNP association independent of the HLA class II genomic region. This study therefore indicates that MHC-associated susceptibility to multiple sclerosis is determined by HLA class II alleles, their interactions and closely neighboring variants.

Canada↗

Expression of HLA antigens on renal tubular cells in culture. I. Evidence that mixed lymphocyte culture supernatants and gamma interferon increase both class I and class II HLA antigens.

The altered expression of HLA antigens on tissues during rejection is of potential importance to both the initiation and effector arms of the alloimmune response. Associated with rejection episodes, renal tubular cell expression of HLA DR (class II) antigens has been observed to be markedly increased. In this study an in vitro assay using cultured renal tubular cells from normal human kidneys was developed. Monoclonal antibodies to detect HLA DR and HLA A,B,C (class I) molecules were used to identify these antigens on cultured tubular cells either by indirect immunofluorescence stains and flow cytometric analysis or by immunoperoxidase stains with cytological analysis. With these techniques normal cultured cells had little membrane or cytoplasmic HLA DR but did have membrane HLA A,B,C. Culture of renal tubular cells with either supernatants from mixed lymphocyte cultures or purified gamma interferon induced expression of HLA DR, with maximum expression occurring between day 4 and day 6. Increased HLA A,B,C expression was also observed. This increased expression of HLA antigens was shown not to be dependent upon increased cell division of the cultured cells, and removal of gamma interferon from the cultures resulted in a decay in both HLA DR and A,B,C expression within days. HLA expression was inhibited by addition of protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, but not by the addition of puromycin, mitomycin C, or actinomycin D--which suggested that tubular cells had transcribed m RNA for both HLA DR and A,B,C antigens. Expression of HLA antigens was not inhibited by cyclosporine, corticosteroids, or azathioprine. These studies demonstrate that the increased expression of HLA antigens seen in renal allografts at the time of rejection episodes can be explained by the release of lymphokines, especially gamma interferon, by infiltrating cells, and that reduced HLA DR expression of transplanted kidneys in patients treated with cyclosporine is not due to the drug directly inhibiting HLA expression by graft cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Langerhans' cell count and HLA class II profile in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in the presence or absence of HIV infection.

OBJECTIVES: The progression of immunosuppression in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)+ women has been correlated with elevated incidence of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL), probably indicating the role of local immune milieu. In this study, we analysed S100, and HLA class II molecule expression in cervical biopsies according to HIV status, to the severity of SIL and to human papillomavirus (HPV) type. METHODS: Biopsies from 34 HIV+ and 44 HIV- patients with normal cervix or low- or high-grade SIL were studied. Langerhans' cells (LC) (S100), HLA class II and HLA-DQ molecules were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. HPV detection was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For statistical analysis Mann-Whitney (P< or =0.05) and Spearman test were used. RESULTS: Epithelial S100 and HLA class II density were significantly increased with the severity of lesion (P=0.032; P=0.005). Epithelial S100+ increased in HPV+ (P=0.038), and HLA class II density decreased in HPV 16+ (P=0.035) or 18+ (P<0.0001) samples. HIV infection was associated with increased stromal S100+ (P=0.0005) and decreased HLA class II densities (P=0.0001). Decreased stromal S100+ was observed in women with CD4<500 cells/microl (P=0.050). Among HIV+ patients with SIL, the lowest S100 and epithelial HLA class II densities were detected in women with CD4<200 cells/microl (P=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: After the establishment of AIDS, increased numbers of immature LCs and a reduction in HLA class II occurred, possibly turning the cervical milieu more favourable to HPV persistence. HPV 16 and 18 infections may interfere with the antigen presenting activity, possibly as an evasion mechanism.

Adult↗

Linkage disequilibrium between HLA class II region and autoimmune hepatitis in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Susceptibility HLA class II alleles associated with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) were only described in case-control studies. METHODS: The transmission/disequilibrium test was used in 50 simplex families with AIH, to determine if affected offspring received the disease-associated allele more frequently than its alternate. HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 allele genotyping and autoimmune regulator (AIRE) polymorphisms located in exons 6, 8 and 10 were investigated by PCR-based methods. RESULTS: HLA-DRB1*03 allele was significantly transmitted from heterozygous parent to affected offspring (81.5%) with type 1 AIH compared to random expected frequency (50.0%; P=0.004) or to unaffected offspring (42.8%; P=0.03). HLA-DRB1*1301 allele showed an excess transmission to affected children (100%) than expected frequency (P<0.0001) or unaffected offspring (P=0.001). The transmission of DQB1*201 or DQB1*0603 alleles showed significant deviation in patients compared to random frequencies: (84.8%; P<0.0001 for DQB1*0201 or 100%; P<0.0001 for DQB1*0603). HLA-DQB1*0201 showed a strong association with type 2 AIH in children (100.0%, P=0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: HLA-DRB1 gene is the major genetic determinant in HLA class II region for children with type 1 AIH. Type 2 AIH is associated with the HLA-DQB1gene. Finally, AIRE gene abnormality does not contribute to the development of isolated AIH.

Adolescent↗

Upregulation of interleukin-12 receptor on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and HLA class I, HLA class II or ICAM-1 on melanoma cells by B7.1 and interleukin-12: a mechanism for immunostimulatory impact of melanoma cells adenovirally transfected with B7.1 and IL12?

Melanoma is an immunogenic tumour and may express both HLA class I and class II molecules. These can be recognized by cytotoxic T-cells. Melanoma cells can evade immunosurveillance due to the lack of co-stimulatory molecules such as B7.1 or B7.2. Interleukin-12 (IL12) exerts antitumour effects, and B7.1 and IL12 synergistically induce effective antitumour immunity. We investigated the immunostimulatory potential of melanoma cells adenovirally transduced with B7.1, IL12 or B7.1 plus IL12. We observed that: (i) melanoma cells transduced with B7.1 plus IL12 can elicit a strong proliferative response from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs); (ii) a high level of TH1 cytokine production from PBMCs was induced by melanoma cells transduced with Adv-B7.1 plus Adv-IL12; (iii) the expression of HLA class I antigens, HLA class II antigens or ICAM-1 antigens was higher on melanoma cells transduced with Adv-lL12 or Adv-B7.1 plus IL12 than those transduced with Adv-LacZ or wild-type melanoma cells; and (iv) the expression of IL12 receptors on PBMCs was upregulated by melanoma cells transfected with Adv-IL12 or Adv-B7.1 plus IL12. Thus, melanoma cells transduced with both Adv-lL12 and B7.1 may represent another clinical approach for antimelanoma gene therapy.

Adenoviridae↗

Cross-linking of HLA class II antigens modulates the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by the EBV-B lymphoblastoid cell line JY.

In addition to their functional role as peptide-binding proteins HLA class II Ag can also act as signal-transducing molecules. The present study showed that cross-linking of HLA class II Ag by the anti-HLA-DR mAb L243 or by the anti-HLA-DR,-DP mAb IVA12 significantly (p < 0.05) increased the release of TNF-alpha by the EBV-B lymphoblastoid cell line JY. In contrast, the anti-HLA-DR mAb 2.06 or the superantigens staphylococcal exotoxin toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 and staphylococcal enterotoxin B that bind to HLA-DR,-DQ Ag did not affect the release of TNF-alpha by JY cells. The accumulation of TNF-alpha in the culture medium of JY cells peaked at 24 h, decreased thereafter, and was found to be dependent on the dose of mAb L243 or mAb IVA12 used to cross-link HLA class II Ag. mAb L243 or staphylococcal exotoxin toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 enhanced the spontaneous homotypic aggregation of JY cells and mediated a dose-dependent inhibition of JY cell proliferation. These phenomena were not mediated by TNF-alpha released in response to cross-linking of HLA class II Ag; polyclonal anti-TNF-alpha neutralizing antibody did not affect JY cell aggregation and the inhibition of JY cell proliferation mediated by mAb L243. In contrast, TNF-alpha secreted by JY cells enhanced a nuclear factor-kB-like activity through the binding to the 75-kDa TNF-alpha receptor. These results demonstrate an additional role of HLA class II Ag as signal-transducing molecules regulating the production of bioactive TNF-alpha by EBV-B cells. The release of TNF-alpha after the triggering of HLA class II molecules could be relevant to different aspects of B cell biology and might play a role in the pathogenesis of human diseases in which antibodies cross-reactive to HLA class II Ag have been identified.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Different roles for cytosine methylation in HLA class II gene expression.

We studied the role of cytosine methylation in the control of HLA class II gene expression in isogenic sets of cells whose members differ in their expression of HLA class II genes. These included: T5-1, 6.1.6, and P30, which are a class II expressing B-cell line, a class II nonexpressing mutant derived from T5-1, and an HLA-DR expressing partial revertant derived from 6.1.6, respectively; the class II expressing B-cell line, SB, and the class II non-expressing T-cell line, HSB, from the same individual. The use of sets of cells that differ in the way their class II genes are regulated allows us to study how that difference is reflected in the methylation state of their class II genes. At least five out of six class II genes in nonexpressing cells have a CpG site that is demethylated, when compared with the same class II gene in the respective expressing cells. The results presented in this paper indicate that most methylation changes in and around class II genes have a correlation with their state of expression. Some of these changes reflect rather than determine the state of expression. Other methylation changes appear to directly affect expression, whereas some methylation differences neither correlate with nor influence gene expression. Although 5-azacytidine does not affect class II expression in T5-1 or 6.1.6, it does induce expression in HSB. This indicates that the basis for nonexpression of class II genes is different in 6.1.6 and HSB.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Regulation of HLA class II antigen expression: intracellular signaling molecules responsible for the regulation by IFN-gamma and cross-linking of Fc receptors in HL-60 cells.

The cross-linking of Fc receptors (FcR) on HL-60 cells inhibited the ability of recombinant IFN-gamma to induce HLA class II antigens. This appeared to be correlated with intracellular mRNA level. HL-60 lacked detectable HLA class II mRNA. IFN-gamma led to appearance of these transcripts, which were canceled by the cross-linking of FcR. Therefore, experiments were designed to investigate the intracellular signaling molecules regulating the appearance of HLA class II molecules or transcripts. The expression of HLA class II antigen induced by IFN-gamma was blocked by a calmodulin antagonist, W-7, but not by a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, H-7. Furthermore, a direct activator of PKC, phorbol myristate acetate, was not able to induce the HLA class II antigen expression. These results suggest that IFN-gamma induces HLA class II antigens on HL-60 cells via a calcium-calmodulin pathway and not via a PKC pathway. Calmodulin is activated by a transient rise in the cytosolic free calcium. In fact, the measurement of calcium influx into HL-60 cells showed that a remarkable and time-dependent calcium accumulation was caused by IFN-gamma, and that depletion of Ca2+ from culture medium resulted in failure of IFN-gamma to induce class II antigen expression. Furthermore, calcium ionophore, A23187, by itself induced HLA class II antigen expression. These results suggest that IFN-gamma stimulates calcium influx and activates the calmodulin branch of the calcium messenger system, resulting in the induction of class II antigen expression on HL-60 cells. On the other hand, cross-linking of FcR elicited the accumulation of intracellular cAMP, which appeared to suppress the IFN-gamma-induced calcium influx, resulting in annulling HLA class II antigen-inducing activity of IFN-gamma. These intracellular events of HL-60 regulate the expression of HLA class II transcripts and molecules.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Polymorphism of antigen processing (TAP, LMP) and HLA class II genes in celiac disease.

Susceptibility to CD is strongly associated with particular HLA class II molecules. However, additive genetic factors are likely to be required for the development of the disease. The polymorphic TAP and LMP genes, located within the HLA class II region, are involved in the antigen presentation pathway and thus represent candidate susceptibility genes. HLA class II DRB1, DRB3, DQA1, DQB1, and DPB1 as well as TAP1, TAP2, and LMP2 polymorphism was studied in 80 Caucasian CD patients and 213 normal controls by DNA oligotyping. The DQB1*0201 allele was found in 96.3% of CD patients and provided the highest risk (RR = 50), whereas only 89% of CD patients carried the DQ alpha 501/beta 201 heterodimer (RR = 30). The participation of the DRB3 and DPB1 locus was ruled out as it was attributed to a linkage disequilibrium on the DR3 haplotype. TAP1 and LMP2 allelic distribution was not significantly different among CD patients and controls. The TAP2-C allele was completely absent from the CD population, while it was found in 22.5% of controls. Although linkage disequilibrium between TAP2 and class II loci clearly exists in some haplotypes, TAP could act as additional susceptibility genes.

Adolescent↗

Ligation of HLA class II molecules promotes sensitivity to CD95 (Fas antigen, APO-1)-mediated apoptosis.

CD95 (Fas antigen/APO-1) is up-regulated in activated lymphocytes, and monoclonal antibody (mAb) to CD95 induces apoptosis. HLA class II molecules play a key role in antigen presentation, ligation of which induces signal transduction. We examined 18 lymphoid cell lines (15 B cell and 3 T cell lines) to investigate the effects of ligation of HLA class II molecules on CD95-mediated apoptosis. All of the five immature B cell lines were sensitive to anti-CD95 mAb, and ligation of HLA class II molecules promoted CD95-mediated apoptosis. In seven B-blastoid cell lines, two Burkitt lines were resistant to anti-CD95 mAb in spite of high expression of CD95. In three of five non-Burkitt B-blastoid lines, CD95-mediated apoptosis was augmented by treatment with anti-HLA class II mAb, while the other two lines lacking CD95 were resistant to anti-CD95 mAb. Three plasmacytic cell lines showed CD95-mediated apoptosis, but enhancement by anti-HLA class I mAb was slight in one cell line and was not observed in the other two lines. Out of three HLA class II antigen-positive T cell lines, CD95-mediated apoptosis was observed to some degree in one call line but was not promoted by the treatment with anti-HLA class II mAb, and the other two cell lines were resistant to anti-CD95 mAb. Ligation of HLA class II molecules did not alter CD95 expression in the five cell lines examined, except Su-DHL-4 originated from a follicular lymphoma, which showed slight up-regulation. Taken together, ligation of HLA class II molecules apparently promotes CD95-mediated apoptosis in immature B cells and non-Burkitt B blasts. These findings highlight the role of HLA class II molecules in CD95-mediated apoptosis, which may facilitate rapid clearance of functionally useless cells from the immune system and might be involved in negative selection of B cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Immune responses against Abeta1-42 in HLA class II transgenic mice: implications for Abeta1-42 immune-mediated therapies.

We have investigated whether polymorphic differences in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules influence humoral and cellular immune responses against Abeta1-42. To analyze the effects of mouse MHC class II and tolerance effects of overexpression of human APP in mice, we immunized Tg2576 and non-transgenic littermates bred into two different MHC backgrounds with Abeta1-42 and compared both B and T cell responses. We found that in the presence of the mouse C57BL/6 background, both B and T cell responses against Abeta1-42 were significantly suppressed. To directly test the contribution of human MHC class II, we immunized various human HLA class II transgenic (TG) mice with Abeta1-42 and analyzed anti-Abeta immune responses. HLA-DR3 and HLA-DQ8 TG mice generated modest B and T cell responses against Abeta1-42. The presence of HLA-DR3/DQ8 in double TG mice enhanced the overall immune response against Abeta1-42. In contrast, HLA-DR4 TG mice mounted strong T cell responses but failed to generate high titer antibody responses against Abeta1-42, whereas, the HLA-DQ6 TG mice were not able to mount significant B or T cell responses against Abeta1-42. These studies in mice suggest that the presence of certain MHC class II molecules or combinations of class II molecules can potentially influence the overall immune response against Abeta1-42.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

HLA class II peptide-binding and autoimmunity.

The HLA class II locus is located in the 6p21.3 region on the short arm of chromosome 6 and encompasses approximately 700 kb. It consists of over 30 gene loci including the major class II structural genes DP, DQ and DR. While autoimmune disease correlates to specific DP, DQ or DR alleles have been documented, due to the strong linkage disequilibrium between the different HLA alleles, especially between the DR and DQ, the precise identification of susceptible MHC alleles for a number of autoimmune diseases remains elusive.

Antigen Presentation↗

Association of HLA class II genes with systemic sclerosis in Koreans.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate HLA class II associations with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in Koreans according to anti-topoisomerase I (anti-topo I), anti-centromere antibody (ACA), and anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) status. METHODS: HLA class II alleles (DRB1, DRB5, DQB1) were determined by DNA typing in 200 healthy control subjects and 74 patients with SSc: 35 anti-topo I positive, 3 ACA positive, and 19 anti-U1 RNP positive; among them were 34 diffuse and 40 limited subtypes, and 16 overlap syndrome. RESULTS: Anti-topo I positive SSc was strongly associated with DRB1*1502 compared with both controls (23% vs 5%; Pcorr = 0.003) and anti-topo I negative patients (23% vs 3%; p = 0.009); our study confirms observations in Japanese. HLA-DR 67FLEDR71, especially 38V-67FLEDR71 sequence (carried on DRB5*0102 in linkage disequilibrium with DRB1*1502, DRB1*0802, DRBI*1101), showed the strongest association with anti-topo I response (46% vs 16% in controls; Pcorr = 0.001), and 38L-67FLEDR71 group alleles were not associated with anti-topo I response. Anti-topo I response was not significantly associated with HLA-DQB1 alleles in Koreans. There were only 3 ACA positive patients, and all patients had DRB1*1501 and DQB1*0602 as heterozygotes. Anti-U1 RNP occurred at a high frequency (63%) among patients with overlap syndrome, and was not associated with HLA-DR or DQ genes. Among anti-topo I negative patients, diffuse and limited subtypes of SSc were significantly associated with DRB1*0803 (47% vs 15% in controls; Pcorr < 0.05) and DRB1*1501 (50% vs 17% in controls; Pcorr < 0.01), respectively. These HLA associations have not been reported in other ethnic groups and possible associations with certain autoantibody subsets remain to be confirmed. CONCLUSION: HLA-DR gene has a primary association with anti-topo I response, and HLA-DR 38V-67FLEDR71 group alleles including DRB5*0102 (in linkage disequilibrium with DRB1*1502) show the strongest association with anti-topo I response in Korean patients with SSc.

Adult↗

[Identification of HLA class II polymorphism with molecular biology techniques].

All the biologically relevant HLA class II allelic variants can not be identified with conventional serological tissue typing techniques. During the past few years considerable advances have been made in HLA class II typing with molecular techniques now widely used in routine clinical tissue typing. The next few years are likely to see the development of tissue typing techniques based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for use in acute transplantation. A new method for the rapid identification of genetic polymorphisms is described--allele-specific PCR amplification.

HLA-D Antigens↗

Distribution of HLA class II alleles and haplotypes in insulin-dependent Moroccan diabetics.

HLA class II polymorphism in Moroccan IDDM patients has not been investigated so far. In this study, HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies were analyzed in 125 unrelated Moroccan IDDM patients and 93 unrelated healthy controls, all originating from the Souss region and mostly of Berber origin. Some common features with other Caucasian groups were observed, in particular, a predisposing effect of the DRB1*03-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201 and DRB1*04-DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302 alleles or allelic combinations. The Moroccan IDDM group also presented with more specific characteristics. Among DRB1*04 subtypes, DRB1*0405 was associated with susceptibility to and DRB1*0406 with protection from the disease. The haplotype and the relative predispositional effect (RPE) analyses indicated that the DRB1*08-DQA1*0401-DQB1*0402 haplotype was also associated with susceptibility to IDDM. Interestingly, the DRB1*09-DQA1*0301-DQB1*0201 haplotype, completely absent from the control group and very rare in North African populations, was observed in 7.2% of the Moroccan diabetics. Conversely, the DRB1*07-DQA1*0201-DQB1*0201 and DRB1*15-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 haplotypes were associated with protection from IDDM. Finally, we observed an age-dependent genetic heterogeneity of IDDM, the frequencies of predisposing alleles being higher and those of protective alleles lower in childhood- than in adult-onset diabetics. Our data on Moroccan diabetics, together with data on European and Northern Mediterranean patients, suggest a gradient of various HLA class II predisposing and protective markers that link these populations.

Adolescent↗

HLA DR and DQ interaction in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in HLA class II transgenic mice.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is shown to be associated with the HLA class II genes. The presence of strong linkage disequilibrium between HLA DR and DQ molecules in humans makes it difficult to identify the individual roles of HLA DR and HLA DQ molecule in MS pathogenesis. To address this problem, we used HLA class II transgenic mice and the experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) model. Administration of recombinant MOG (rMOG) induced severe inflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS) of HLA DRB1*1502 mice (60%), whereas no disease was observed in HLA DQB1*0601(0%) and mild disease was observed in DQB1*0302 mice (13%). Lymphocyte proliferation was blocked by anti HLA antibodies, confirming that the rMOG was functionally presented by the HLA molecules. Introduction of DQB1*0302 into DRB1*1502 mice resulted in the development of chronic progressive clinical disease characterized by severe inflammation and demyelination (90%) in response to immunization with rMOG, whereas mild disease was observed when DQB1*0601 was introduced in DRB1*1502 mice (30%). This would suggest that the presence of more than one susceptible allele, namely HLA DRB1*1502 and DQB1*0302 resulted in enhanced severity of disease in the DRB1*1502/DQB1*0302 mice, possibly due to the additional selection and expansion of potential autoreactive T cells. The use of defined single and double HLA transgenic mice may reveal the intricate interactions between class II molecules in human disease.

Animals↗

PCR/oligonucleotide probe typing of HLA class II alleles in a Filipino population reveals an unusual distribution of HLA haplotypes.

We have analyzed the distribution of HLA class II alleles and haplotypes in a Filipino population by PCR amplification of the DRB1, DQB1, and DPB1 second-exon sequences from buccal swabs obtained from 124 family members and 53 unrelated individuals. The amplified DNA was typed by using nonradioactive sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. Twenty-two different DRB1 alleles, including the novel Filipino *1105, and 46 different DRB1/DQB1 haplotypes, including the unusual DRB1*0405-DQB1*0503, were identified. An unusually high frequency (f = .383) of DPB1*0101, a rare allele in other Asian populations, was also observed. In addition, an unusual distribution of DRB1 alleles and haplotypes was seen in this population, with DR2 (f = .415) and DRB1*1502-DQB1*0502 (f = .233) present at high frequencies. This distribution of DRB1 alleles differs from the typical HLA population distribution, in which the allele frequencies are more evenly balanced. The distribution of HLA class II alleles and haplotypes in this Filipino population is different from that of other Asian and Pacific groups: of those populations studied to date; the Indonesian population is the most similar. DRB1*1502-DQB1*0502 was in strong linkage disequilibrium (D' = .41) with DPB1*0101 (f = .126, for the extended haplotype), which is consistent with selection for this DR, DQ, DP haplotype being responsible for the high frequency of these three class II alleles in this population.

Alleles↗