A search for HLA haplotypes of a family of five indicated that four members had the same haplotype. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had already developed in three of these four people. SLE has now developed in the remaining person, and the result is that all the members of the family having the same haplotype will develop SLE. Regarding these four SLE patients, the types of autoantibodies and the symptoms were different in each person, so the idea that this haplotype is strongly related to the onset of SLE but minimally related to the symptoms was suggested.
Key words
Autoantibody - Family study - Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haplotype - Susceptibility - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
