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

ABSTRACT

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 leukocyte antigens (HLA) haplotypes in one pair of Mexican monozygotic twins affected by TA. HLA alleles were determined 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 determine genetic susceptibility to develop TA and sustain genetic heterogeneity of this disease among populations.