Increased Frequency of HLA—DRw2 and DRw3 in Multiple Sclerosis

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Abstract
Previous studies of multiple sclerosis patients showed the existence of a positive association between multiple sclerosis and HLA—A3 and —B7, as well as a negative association with B12. These observations have been confirmed. In addition, a more marked association has been observed with two recently identified B‐cell antigens, DRw2 and DRw3, closely related to the HLA‐D locus. The presence of cold lymphocytotoxic antibodies was found to bear no relationship with those two specificities. These results suggest that two genes of the HLA—DR region may play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.