Increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 in patients with multifocal motor neuropathy

Neurology. 2010 Mar 9;74(10):828-32. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181d3e2f6.

Abstract

Objectives: The favorable response to treatment with IV immunoglobulins and the presence of IgM antibodies to the glycolipid GM1 are indications that inflammation underlies multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) pathogenesis. We investigated the association of MMN with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II antigens.

Methods: HLA class I and II antigens of 74 Dutch patients with MMN and 700 controls were determined in a case-control study. Associations of HLA types with MMN disease characteristics were investigated.

Results: Compared with controls, patients with MMN had higher frequencies of HLA-DRB1*15 (41 vs 24%, p = 0.0017). Disease characteristics were not associated with specific HLA types.

Conclusions: Similar associations were found in patients with multiple sclerosis and women with chronic immune-mediated demyelinating neuropathy, which may suggest that these demyelinating disorders share pathogenic mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Brachial Plexus / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Female
  • G(M1) Ganglioside / immunology
  • HLA-DQ Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA-DQ beta-Chains
  • HLA-DR Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / genetics*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / genetics*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / pathology
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / physiopathology
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • HLA-DQ Antigens
  • HLA-DQ beta-Chains
  • HLA-DQB1 antigen
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • G(M1) Ganglioside