Class II HLA antigens in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

HLA typing in Wellington revealed a stronger association of multiple sclerosis with DR2 than with DQwl. The association with DQwl appeared to be due to linkage disequilibrium of this antigen with DR2. These results, when considered in conjunction with other studies, are most easily explained by the hypothesis that susceptibility to multiple sclerosis is influenced by multiple risk factors, with DR2 being an important risk factor in Caucasoid populations.