Association of HLA Type With Pseudoexfoliation of the Lens Capsule

Authors: Hakkı DOĞAN, Türkan PATIROĞLU, Engin BAYKAL, Kuddusi ERKILIÇ

Abstract: Exfoliation of the lens capsule is asymptomatic but it is associated with the development of glaucoma and blindness if undetected and untreated. The occurrence of exfoliation varies widely in different countries where the population is ethnically homogeneous. It is suggested that both genetic and environmental influences are important in the development of exfoliative syndrome (ES). This study was carried out to determine if there was any relation between ES and HLA. HLA antigen types were determined in 45 patients with exfoliative syndrome. We found a strong association between HLA-A2, HLA-DR5, HLA B21 and HLA-DR7 and the existence of ES (Chi - squares were 4. 849, 11.072, 7.200, 5.404 respectively and p < 0.05). Data were analysed for linkage disequilibrium (LD). LD was found positive for HLA-A2DR5, HLA-A2DR7, HLA-B21DR7 and HLA-A2B21DR7 were the most frequent haplotypes. However, the frequencies of HLA-A3 and HLA-A10 were higher in the control subjects than in the patients (P exacts < 0.05). These findings showed that there were close association between HLA-A2, B21, DR5 and DR7 antigens and HLA-A2DR5 , HLA-A2DR7, HLA-B21DR7 and HLA-A2B21DR7 haplotypes and exfoliative syndrome.

Keywords: Exfoliative syndrome , histocompatibility antigens, HLA.

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