HLA-DQB1

HLA-DQB1 is a class II human leukocyte antigen gene. HLA genes help the "immune system distinguish the body's own proteins from proteins made by foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria".

Function

HLA associations are considered "hallmarks of autoimmune disease". Different variations in HLA-DQB1 have been linked to celiac disease, narcolepsy, type I diabetes, autoimmune Addison's disease, rosacea and multiple sclerosis.

HLA-C The class I proteins produced from these genes are found on the surface of almost all cells, and display these protein fragments (peptides) to the immune system. The immune system then identifies any proteins it recognizes as foreign (such as viral or bacterial peptides), and triggers the destruction of the cell.

ME/CFS

Lande et al. (2020) found two HLA associations that were more common in people with ME/CFS, with 19.2% of ME/CFS patients carrying one of the two HLA associations identified, compared to 12.2% of the control group. The HLA associations more common in ME/CFS patients were HLA-C*07:04 and HLA-DQB1*03:03. The 426 ME/CFS patients in the study met the Canadian Consensus Criteria for ME/CFS, except for four who met the International Consensus Criteria for ME.

A small Norwegian trial found patients positive for HLA-DQB1*03:03 and/or HLA-C*07:04 were more likely to respond to cyclophosphamide than patients without those alleles, 83 vs. 43%.

Notable studies

• 2020, Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) - (Full text)
• 2020, Intravenous Cyclophosphamide in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study - (Full text)

See also

• Cyclophosphamide
• Human leukocyte antigen complex
• Gene
• Histamine
• Innate immune system
• Virus
• Bacteria

Learn more

• HLA-DQB1 - Genetics home reference - US Library of Medicine
• Histocompatibility complex - Genetics home reference - US Library of Medicine

human leukocyte antigen complex (HLA) - A set of genes responsible for a given person's immune response to potential threats. Specifically, HLA genes encode proteins which help the immune system to distinguish the body's own proteins from proteins which are made by foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. The HLA complex can vary greatly from person to person, generating unique immune and allergic responses. (Learn more: mecfsresearchreview.me)

Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC) - A set of diagnostic criteria used to diagnose ME/CFS, developed by a group of practicing ME/CFS clinicians in 2003. The CCC is often considered to be the most complex criteria, but possibly the most accurate, with the lowest number of patients meeting the criteria. Led to the development of the International Consensus Criteria (ICC) in 2011.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.