HLA‐DR antigens and the antibody response against Epstein‐Barr virus

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Abstract
Antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens, i.e., the viral capsid antigen (VCA) and the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA), were determined in 2 independent populations with known HLA-DR phenotypes. The 1st population consisted of 151 patients with rheumatoid arthritis; the 2nd one of 88 healthy parents of leukemic children. Although the group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis differed significantly in the frequency of 4 DR antigens from the 2nd group, both groups had the same correlation between HLA-DR antigens and the antibody response to EBV antigens. There was a significant correlation between HLA-DR1 and reduced titers of antibodies to VCA; the persons with only 1 identifiable DR antigen had higher anti-VCA titers. The persons with HLA-DR5 had significantly higher anti-EBNA titers than those without DR5.