Association of Sjögren's syndrome with HLA‐B8

Abstract

HLA antigens were examined by microdroplet lymphocyte cytotoxicity in 31 patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Fifty percent of 22 Caucasian patients (7 of 17 females and 4 of 5 males) had HLA-B8, as compared to 21% of 1205 controls (P = 0.002). The presence of HLA-B8 was not correlated with parotid salivary flow, kerato-conjunctivitis sicca, or focus score. Because of its association with a number of autoimmune diseases, including Sjögren's syndrome, it is suggested that HLA-B8 is genetically linked to an immune response gene(s) that predisposes the individual to autoimmune phenomena. The expression of autoimmunity may be determined by infectious or environmental factors.