Decreased frequency of HLA-DR13DR6 in Wegener's granulomatosis

Decreased frequency of HLA-DR13DR6 in Wegener's granulomatosis. The pathogenesis of Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis and idiopathic rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is still unclear; in vitro data support both humoral and cellular autoimmune mechanisms. An association of Wegener's granulomatosis with HLA antigens has been described, with conflicting results concerning the antigens involved. We have performed serological HLA typing of patients at two different laboratories within the Netherlands (N = 118 and N=106, respectively). A significant decrease in the frequency of HLA-DR13DR6 was present in both patient groups in comparison to controls (χ 2 = 21.9; corrected P value