Among the genetic factors for isolated AAD and autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 2, a key role is played by HLA class II genes: HLA-DRB1*0301-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201 and DRB1*04-DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302 are positively, and DRB1*0403 is negatively, associated with genetic risk for AAD.
We aimed to explore AAD predisposing effects of HLA-A and -B and further investigate the role of MICA and HLA-DRB1-DQA1-DQB1 in a much larger material than has previously been studied.
Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CTLA4+49 allele G was positively associated with AAD (P<0.0001, odds ratio (OR)=2.43, 95% confidence interval=1.54-3.86) also after correction for DRB1*03-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201, DRB1*04-DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302, and sex.
Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MHC2TA AG+GG continued to be positively associated with genetic risk for AAD (P = 0.028, odds ratio = 1.72, 95% confidence interval = 1.06-2.78), after correction for DRB1*03-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201, DRB1*04 (not 0403)-DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302 and DRB1*0403.
We determined the HLA-DR and HLA-DQA1 association in 112 unrelated patients with APS II (n = 29), APS III (n = 83) and 184 unrelated patients with single-component diseases without further manifestations of APS: Graves' disease (n = 70), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (n = 53), autoimmune Addison's disease (n = 15), vitiligo (n = 16) and alopecia (n = 30), and 72 healthy controls - German Caucasians - to identify possible predisposing and protective HLA class II alleles in APS.