HLA-DRW4 ANTIGEN AND B40-CW3-DRW4 HAPLOTYPE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

The first evidence of an association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and HLA was reported by Stastny (1,2) and corresponded to HLA-DW4. In 1977, as a result of the 7th lnternational Workshop, a striking association with HLA-DRW4 was found (3). Stastny reported DRW4 t o be present in 70% of 53 patients with RA and in 28% of 68 controls; the, relative risk for the disease in relation to DRW4 was 6 (4). During the 8th International Workshop, we studied 23 RA patients, fulfilling ARA criteria for RA and 30 controls, testing for HLA-A ,B,C, and DR antigens.