Abstract

Objectives: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) which is characterized by hypergammaglobulinemia and a wide range of circulating auto antibodies is a necroinflammatory liver disease of unknown aetiology. Immunogenetic studies have shown the association of autoimmunity with HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) alleles. Furthermore, they have shown a decrease in the expression of HLA antigens on lymphocyte surface and a dysregulation of gene expression arranged by HLA. A significant association is found between AIH and HLA-DRB1*03, *04 and *13 alleles in various studies. We performed HLA-DRB1 genotyping in Turkish patients with AIH.

Patients and Methods: The study group consisted of 113 patients (55 females, 58 males; mean age 44.8±21.21; range 10-82) with AIH and 300 healthy individuals (198 females, 102 males; mean age 32.4±10.48; range 17-50). After DNA isolation by standard methods, HLA-DRB1 typing was performed by using polymerase chain reaction amplification with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP).

Results: HLA-DRB1*03 allele had a significantly increased frequency in the patient group. On the other hand, DRB1*13 allele had a significantly decreased frequency compared with the healthy controls.

Conclusion: HLA-DRB1*03 might play a role in the pathogenesis of AIH while HLA-DRB1*13 might have a protective role for AIH.