Takayasu's Arteritis in Mexican Monozygotic Twins: Analysis of Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) Haplotypes

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is an idiopathic great vessel vasculitis that affects the aorta and its branches. This entity is associated with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. We studied DNA sequences of human leu-kocyte antigens (HLA) haplotypes in one pair of Mexican monozygotic twins affected by TA. HLA alleles were deter-mined by sequence-specific priming. Genetic testing of the HLA haplotypes in both sisters were A*02 B*39 DRB1*04 DQB1*03 :02/A*24 B*35 DRB1*16 DQB1*03:01. These results confirm that within the MHC are genes that de-termine genetic susceptibility to develop TA and sustain genetic heterogeneity of this disease among populations.

Automated summary

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a great vessel vasculitis that affects the aorta and its branches, and is associated with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. Genetic testing of HLA haplotypes in monozygotic twins affected by TA found specific HLA alleles. These results confirm the role of MHC genes in genetic susceptibility to develop TA and the genetic heterogeneity of the disease among populations.