HLA gene and phenotype data of 60 insulin-dependent diabetic patients from north-eastern Italy. A negative association with DR5 rather than DR2?

The purpose of our study was to evaluate what kind of relationships exist between HLA antigens and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), in 20 families and in 40 single patients coming from and living in North Eastern Italy. The subjects studied show a strong association with HLA-DR3 and/or -DR4; at least one of these antigens is present in 88% of the diabetic subjects; this confirms that these antigens play a role in the pathogenesis of IDDM. We also noticed a negative association between IDDM and DR5 rather than DR2 and DR7.