Conclusions
Our data suggest an association between MHC class I and class II (HLA-A*29, HLA-B*51, HLA-DRB1*15, and HLA-DQB1*06) and susceptibility to SLE in the Saudi population. HLA-DRB1*15-DQB1*06 haplotype showed the highest risk factor for the disease that is similar to what was seen in the African American patients, suggesting shared susceptibility genetic factors among these ethnic groups.
Methods
HLA types were determined by the polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific oligonucleotide (PCR-SSP) method in 86 patients and 356 control subjects.
Results
The following HLA alleles were found to be positively associated with SLE: HLA-A*29 (OR=2.70; 95% CI=1.03-7.08; P=.0035), HLA-B*51 (OR=1.81; 95% CI=1.17-2.79; P=.0066), HLA-DRB1*15 (OR=1.45; 95% CI=0.98-2.29; P=.063), and HLA-DQB1*06 (OR=1.67; 95% CI=1.19-2.36; P=.0032), whereas HLA-DRB1*16 was negatively associated with the disease (OR=0.18; 95% CI=0.02-1.3; P=.055). HLA-DRB1*15 haplotypes were significantly associated with SLE (OR=2.01, 95% CI=1.20-3.68, P=.008); this was mainly due to the HLADRB1*15-DQB1*06 association. Conclusions: Our data suggest an association between MHC class I and class II (HLA-A*29, HLA-B*51, HLA-DRB1*15, and HLA-DQB1*06) and susceptibility to SLE in the Saudi population. HLA-DRB1*15-DQB1*06 haplotype showed the highest risk factor for the disease that is similar to what was seen in the African American patients, suggesting shared susceptibility genetic factors among these ethnic groups.