Histocompatibility (HLA) Antigens and Diabetic Microangiopathy*

Abstract
To gain further insight into the genetic determinants of diabetic small vessel disease, 22 HL-A antigens were studied in 110 juvenile-onset, insulin-dependent diabetics with terminal glomerulosclerosis and retinopthy, who were being prepared for kidney transplant. HL-A antigens were contemporarily determined in non-diabetic kidney transplant recipients and healthy controls. The frequency of antigens A1 and B8 were significantly higher in diabetics than in controls (P < .02 and .011), but the frequency of BW15 was normal. Juvenile diabetes with microangiopathy is apparently 1 of the HLA-B8 associated disorders.