The significance of HLA-antigens in dermatology

Abstract

Human leukocyte antigens group A (HLA) have been indicated to have some degree of association with various skin diseases. Low to moderate relative risk revealed in previous studies needs to be clarified by similar studies in other populations. Such an attempt has been organized in the International Histocompatibility Workshop and Conference. The paper discussed the significance of HLA in dermatology, both the association of HLA and various skin diseases and several other aspects of HLA expression on skin components. Our preliminary study in psoriasis with linkage disequilibrium analysis, saggested the association between HLA-851 and HLA-Cw7 with psoriasis. It has been reported that HLA-DR expression on keratinocytes has been observed in various dermatoses. This particular antigenic expression on dendritic cells and T lymphocytes has been related to their biological behavior, activation and pathogenesis in certain skin diseases. HLA-DR was etpressed in T cell lymphomas, namely Mycosis fungoides and Sezary’s syndrone. Some skin tumors showed. reduction or absence of HLA antigens and certain HLA antigen might be protective. However, such relationship was still controversial.