Derm News: 2007.6(6)

Psoriasis vulgaris and human leukocyte antigens

Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, March 2007;21(3):303-310)
FF Cassia, SC Carneiro, MTQ Marques, LF Pontes, AL Filgueira, LCS Porto Journal of the European
ABSTRACT

Background

Psoriasis vulgaris is a skin disease with a complex immunological and genetic Background, triggered by environmental factors. The association of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and psoriasis has long been reported on population and familial studies.

Objectives

To review and discuss studies on psoriasis vulgaris and HLA, in Caucasian and non-Caucasian populations.

Methods

The major population studies on psoriasis vulgaris and the associated HLA antigens and alleles are described and discussed based on a review of the current literature.

Results

Population studies demonstrate the presence of different HLA specificities as well as extended haplotypes in patients with psoriasis, when compared to controls. Some alleles occur in a lower frequency in patients with psoriasis, indicating they could be protection alleles. In all studies which HLA class I was typed, Cw6 or Cw*0602 was present in a significant frequency in patients with psoriasis, mainly when early onset and positive family history were considered. HLA-DRB1*0701 was also present in a higher frequency in patients in different populations.

Conclusions

Different antigens and alleles from both HLA classes I and II were seen in a significantly higher frequency in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. HLA Cw*0602 and DRB1*0701 were represented in different reports, and the former was related mainly to psoriasis type I.

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The Derm News service provided by the Editorial Consultants of Skin Therapy Letter^© and its founding editor Dr. Stuart Maddin.