HLA-DMA and HLA-DMB genotyping in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE. To investigate the relation of HLA-DMA and DMB alleles to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: We studied HLA-DMA and DMB alleles in 108 patients with SLE and 138 healthy controls using the amplification created restriction site method.

Results: The phenotypic frequency of HLA-DMA*0104 was significantly higher in patients with SLE than in healthy controls. The HLA-DMA and DMB alleles were not related to clinical manifestations and various laboratory tests in patients with SLE.

Conclusions: HLA-DMA*0104 may be associated with the susceptibility of SLE.