Author/Editor		Poljački, M; Gajinov, Z; Belić, B; Vojvodić, S; Matić, M
Title		MHC class II antigens in alopecia areata
Type		članek
Source		Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannon Adriat
Vol. and No.		Letnik 11, št. 2
Publication year		2002
Volume		str. 55-8
Language		eng
Abstract		Introduction. In accordance with assumption of a possible autoimmune nature of alopecia areata, the purpose of this study was to investigate associations between alopecia areata and MHC class II antigens (DR and DQ loci). Materials and methods. The study was performed on 23 patients with alopecia areata, classified in two groups, on the basis of severity of clinical picture: 13 alopecia totalis/universalis and 10 unilocular/multilocular alopecia areata patients. MHC class II antigens were determined by double staining immunofluorescence. Seventeen antigens were determined for DR locus, and 9 antigens for DQ locus. For all antigens phenotypic frequency and relative risk were calculated. The Control group consisted of 114 healthy tissue and organ donors. Chi square test for small samples was used in statistical analysis. Results. Significantly higher frequencies of DQ2, and smaller of DRi antigens were detected in the whole group. In alopecia totalis/universalis subgroup a significantly higher frequency of the DQ2 and a smaller one of DQ3(9) antigens were observed. In the unilocular/multilocular alopecia areata subgroup only a significant decrease of the DQ3(9) frequency was found. Conclusion. It can be assumed that an increased frequency of DQ2 increases the risk of severe forms of alopecia areata while the absence of DQ3(9) may have some protective role. Further studies on a larger number of patients are however necessary.
Descriptors		ALOPECIA AREATA HLA-DQ ANTIGENS PHENOTYPE FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE CHI-SQUARE DISTRIBUTION