HLA-DP does not contribute towards susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objectives - To determine whether HLA-DP genes are involved in determining susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods - HLA-DPA1 and DPB1 genes were amplified by PCR of DNA samples from a panel of patients with SLE and normal controls. Amplified DNA was blotted on to nylon filters and probed with sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) probes. Results - No DPA1 or DPB1 allele was significantly associated with SLE, or with any immunological or clinical subset of SLE. Evidence was found for only limited linkage disequilibrium between HLA-DP and HLA-DQ/DR variants, and none between HLA-DP and the TAP2 gene. Conclusions - These data indicate that HLA-DP genes do not contribute towards determining susceptibility to SLE.