HLA allele are diagnostic parameters in scleroderma

During the last decade the association of diffuse and localised scleroderma with several HLA class II alleles has been controversially discussed. Several studies of the HLA class II phenotypes and autoantibody specificities in patients suffering from different types of localised or diffuse scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) were carried out. The patients were divided into several groups according to different patterns of skin sclerosis and autoantibody findings. Significant associations were found for HLA DR1 and DR8 with the CREST-Syndrome and anticentromeric antibodies, DR11 with diffuse scleroderma, antinuclear antibodies and anti-topoisomerase I antibodies (anti-Set 70). Furthermore, association of HLA DR2 with mild forms of diffuse scleroderma and of HLA DR3 with severe forms of the disease could be detected. We assume analysis of autoantibodies and HLA DR phenotypes is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of diffuse scleroderma, especially in the very early state of the disease. We also suggest that these findings allow a prognosis of the further development of the disease, but up to now no prospective study has been carried out to support this thesis.