Identification of two novel bullous pemphigoid- associated alleles, HLA-DQA1*05:05 and-DRB1*07:01, in Germans

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune skin blistering disease characterized by autoimmunity against the hemidesmosomal proteins BP180, type XVII collagen, and BP230. To elucidate the genetic basis of susceptibility to BP, we performed the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Germans. This GWAS was combined with HLA locus targeted sequencing in an additional independent BP cohort. The strongest association with BP in Germans tested in this study was observed in the two HLA loci, HLA-DQA1*05:05 and HLA-DRB1*07:01. Further studies with increased sample sizes and complex studies integrating multiple pathogenic drivers will be conducted.

Automated summary

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is characterized by autoimmunity against certain proteins, and the strongest association in Germans was found in the HLA loci HLA-DQA1*05:05 and HLA-DRB1*07:01. Further research with larger sample sizes and integrating multiple pathogenic factors is planned.