The HLA Molecules and their Association with Autoimmune Disease

Overview

The etiology of autoimmunity diseases includes an immunological reaction against various autoantigens. The HLAmolecules play an important role in the antigen presentation process to the immune system. The HLA genes werefound as the most significant genetic predisposition factor. The strongest association described in the literature isthe association of HLA-B27 with ankylosing spondylitis. Associations were since usually observed with HLA-DRand DQ genes. We are also focused on Diabetes mellitus 1. type. Diabetes is an organ specific autoimmune diseasecharacterised by destruction of beta-cells of Langerhansen pancreatic islets. The cause of the destruction process isnot known yet, but it seems to be triggered by repeated presentation of self-antigen hGAD65 to the immune system.This review presents themost interesting solutions and hypotheses of the unanswered question about HLA associationmechanism.

Key words:
HLA, association, autoimmunity, hypothesis, ankylosing spondylitis, HLA-B27, diabetes mellitus,glutamic acid decarboxylase (hGAD65), enteroviruses (HERVs), regulation of gene expression.