HLA class II gene polymorphisms in antiphospholipid syndrome: haplotype analysis in 83 Caucasoid patients

Objectives. We investigated the association between HLA class II haplotypes and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Methods. HLA DRB1, DQB1 and DQA1 genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific primers in 83 Caucasoid British patients with APS. The genotype frequencies were compared between subgroups of patients acid 177 healthy controls. Results. DPB1*0604/5/6/7/9-DQA1*0102-DRB1*1302 and DQB1*0303-DQA1*0201-DRB1*0701 haplotypes showed significantly positive correlations with APS [P = 0.0087 and P = 0.0012, respectively]. The association of the former was enhanced in primary APS patients with anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies (anti-beta 2GPI) [odds ratio 6.2, 95% confidence interval (2.2-17.6). P = 0.0014, corrected P = 0.042]. Conclusions. These alleles and haplotypes might affect anti-beta 2GPI production and APS development in different and heterogeneous fashion.