Association of Human Leukocyte Antigen with Exfoliation Syndrome in Japanese

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:To investigate the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) specificities in Japanese exfoliation syndrome (XFS). Methods:Forty–six patients (34 men, 12 women) with XFS were examined. Thirty–eight of the 46 developed glaucoma. Sixty–eight individuals served as normal controls. HLA analysis of class 1 and class 2 alleles (A, B, C, DR, and DQ luci) was performed by standard microlymphocytotoxicity assay. A two–by–two chi–square test with Yaster correction was used for statistical analysis. Results:A2, A24, B7, B52(5), B60(40), Cw1, and Cw7 in HLA class 1 and DR15(2) and DQ4 in HLA class 2 were significantly associated with XFS (p<0.005 for both). There were significant decreases of DR12(5) and significant increases of DR4, DR9, DQ1, and DQ3 in patients with XFS compared with normal controls.  

There was no significant difference between XFS with glaucoma development and XFS without it. Conclusions: An association between 14 antigens (especially five antigens: DR12, DR4, DR9, DQ1, DQ3), and Japanese patients with XFS was found. The results may be specific to Japanese patients.

Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • antigen presentation/processing • immunomodulation/immunoregulation