HLA-DRB1*0407 and *1304 are risk factors for scleroderma renal crisis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the predictive role of HLA genetic markers in scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), beyond the known clinical correlates, in a large population of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

SSc patients from the Scleroderma Family Registry and DNA Repository, the Genetics versus Environment in Scleroderma Outcomes Study, and the rheumatology division registry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston were included in the study. Relevant clinical data were obtained by chart review, and autoantibodies were detected utilizing commercially available kits. HLA class II genotyping was performed on extracted and purified genomic DNA.

RESULTS

Overall, 1,519 SSc patients were included in the study, of whom 90 (6%) had developed SRC. Among the 90 patients with SRC, the diffuse cutaneous disease subtype was found in 76%, antitopoisomerase antibodies (antitopo) in 9%, anticentromere antibodies (ACAs) in 2%, and anti-RNA polymerase III (anti-RNAP III) in 50% of patients. In multivariate analyses of clinical and demographic parameters, diffuse disease type and anti-RNAP III were strong risk factors for the presence of SRC, whereas ACAs and antitopo were protective. In the final multivariate analysis, which included HLA alleles, HLA-DRB1*0407 (odds ratio [OR] 3.21, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.27-8.08; P = 0.013) and DRB1*1304 (OR 4.51, 95% CI 1.30-15.65; P = 0.018) were identified as independent risk factors for SRC. Only 3 clinical characteristics, diffuse disease type, anti-RNAP III, and ACAs, remained significantly associated with SRC in the final model.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that DRB1*0407 and *1304 are independent risk factors, beyond the known clinical correlates, for the development of SRC.

Disorders of reproduction

This chapter focuses on biomarkers of reproductive health and disease that have been developed in the past 15 years. Due to the gender- and age-dependency of most of the advances in measuring reproductive health status and outcomes, these biomarkers have been categorized with respect to the unique member of the reproductive triad of interest (i.e. mother, father, conceptus). Biomarkers of female and male puberty, female reproductive function, fetal and infant development, and male reproductive function are discussed. The strengths and limitations of developing and implementing biomarkers in reproductive health studies over the past decade are explored.