Susceptibility to ovarian endometriosis in Polish population is not associated with HLA-DRB1 alleles

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 20; no. 4; pp. 970 - 973
• Main Authors: Roszkowski, Piotr I., Sankowska, Monika, Jałbrzykowska, Agnieszka, Radomski, Dariusz, Drągowska, Katarzyna, Płoski, Rafał, Malejczyk, Jacek
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01-04-2005; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; autoimmunity; Biological and medical sciences; Endometriosis; Endometriosis - genetics; Endometriosis - immunology; Female; Gene Frequency; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; HLA-DR Antigens - genetics; HLA-DR Antigens - immunology; HLA-DRB1 alleles; HLA-DRB1 Chains; Humans; major histocompatibility complex; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Ovarian Diseases - genetics; Ovarian Diseases - immunology; Poland; Poland; endometriosis; HLA-DRB1 alleles; major histocompatibility complex; autoimmunity; Autoimmunity; HLA-System; Major histocompatibility system; Endometriosis; Female genital diseases; Ovary; Vertebrata; Allele; Sensitivity; Mammalia; autoimmunity/endometriosis/HLA-DRB1 alleles/major histocompatibility complex; Female genital system; Uterine diseases
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deh715

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is associated with inflammatory autoimmune reactions; however, aetiopathogenesis of the disease is still poorly understood. While autoimmune disorders are often associated with particular HLA alleles, the possible involvement of HLA in the aetiopathogenesis of endometriosis is still a subject of controversy. The aim of the study was to examine the distribution of HLA-DRB1 alleles in women with endometriosis. To ensure homogeneity of the studied group, only women with ovarian endometrial cysts were included. METHODS: The study included 65 Polish patients of Caucasian origin in whom ovarian endometriosis had been confirmed by laparoscopic and histopathological examinations. HLA-DRB1 alleles were typed using a reverse slot blot method. A frequency of particular HLA-DRB1 alleles in patients was compared with that of a control group of 700 unrelated ethnically matched individuals as well as 193 age-matched women without endometriosis. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in the distribution of HLA-DRB1 alleles in patients with ovarian endometriosis as compared with control populations. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show that ovarian endometriosis is not associated with particular HLA-DRB1 allele(s). This may suggest that aetiology of this form of endometriosis may be not primarily associated with class II HLA-mediated autoimmune reactions.