DR2 haplotypes (DRB1, DQA1, DQB1) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Although the etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still unknown, population and family studies have shown that genetic factors influence the onset and course of the disease. Various studies have revealed that one or more genes in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are associated with susceptibility to SLE. The largest study to date is a joint investigation of 417 Central European patients with SLE. The results of this study show that two haplotypes are increased in this group of patients: one carrying the alleles HLA-B8 and -DR3 and one carrying HLA-DR2. We investigated the DR2 subtypes that the DRB1 locus level and the alleles of the DQA1 and DQB1 loci in DR2-positive SLE patients from the multi-center study and in healthy controls. The aim of the study was to determine whether there is a characteristic DR2 (DRB1, DQA1, DQB1) haplotype responsible for the association of HLA-DR2 with susceptibility to SLE.