HLA-DQβ gene contributes to susceptibility and resistance to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

JA Todd, JI Bell, HO McDevitt - Nature, 1987 - nature.com
JA Todd, JI Bell, HO McDevitt
Nature, 1987nature.com
Over half of the inherited predisposition to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus maps to the
region of chromosome 6 that contains the highly polymorphic HLA class II genes which
determine immune responsiveness. Analysis of DNA sequences from diabetics indicates
that alleles ofHLA-DQ β determine both disease susceptibility and resistance, and that the
structure of the DQ molecule, in particular residue 57 of the β-chain, specifies the
autoimmune response against the insulin-producing islet cells.
Abstract
Over half of the inherited predisposition to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus maps to the region of chromosome 6 that contains the highly polymorphic HLA class II genes which determine immune responsiveness. Analysis of DNA sequences from diabetics indicates that alleles ofHLA-DQβ determine both disease susceptibility and resistance, and that the structure of the DQ molecule, in particular residue 57 of the β-chain, specifies the autoimmune response against the insulin-producing islet cells.
nature.com