HLA-alleles class I and II associated with genetic susceptibility to neuromyelitis optica in Brazilian patients.

OBJECTIVE

To study the genetic susceptibility to neuromyelitis optica (NMO) as well as the relationship between HLA genotypes and susceptibility to the disease in the southern Brazilian population.

METHODS

We analyzed patients with NMO, who met criteria for Wingerchuk's diagnosis of NMO, with detected serum anti-AQP4-IgG antibody. The HLA genotyping was performed by high-resolution techniques (Sanger sequencing) in patients and controls. The HLA genotypes were statistically compared with a paired control population.

RESULTS

The HLA genotyping revealed the diversity of the southern Brazilian population whose HLA profile resembled European and Asian populations. Some alleles had statistical correlations with a positive association (increased susceptibility) with NMO, particularly the HLA-DRB1*04:05 and *16:02.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, the HLA genotype was different to that previously reported for other Brazilian populations. Although our study had a small cohort, HLA genotypes were associated with increased susceptibility to NMO for HLA-DRB1*04:05 and *16:02. The alleles of HLA class I HLA-A*02:08 and *30:09, HLA-B*08:04 and *35:04 showed an association before the Bonferroni correction.