[DNA typing of HLA-class II genes in idiopathic nephropathy].

The association between idiopathic nephropathy and HLA-class II antigen has been reported in many ethnic groups. We attempted to ascertain the HLA regions more specifically, associated with Japanese idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), by examining HLA-class II genes. DNA typing of HLA-class II genes showed that IMN was associated with HLA-DRB1*1501-DRB5*0101-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602, IgA with HLA-DQA1*0301, and MCNS with DQB1*0302. We also found a common epitope of HLA-class II (at 38th amino acid position of HLA-DR beta in IMN, at 55th of HLA-DQ beta in MCNS) in Japanese and Caucasian patients. These particular epitopes seem to be important for the susceptibility to IMN or MCNS.