Association of HLA antigens and total serum immunoglobulin E level with allergic response and failure to respond to ragweed allergen Ra3.

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Abstract
Rigorous statistical analysis was applied to human immune response and HLA data in allergic subjects having varying sensitivity to the minor ragweed allergen, Ra3. By using regression analysis on a series of subsets of Ra3 responders and nonresponders, data supporting the concept of discrete responder and nonresponder phenotypes was obtained. Significant positive associations between Ra3 response and total serum Ig[immunoglobulin]E and the presence of HLA antigens of the A2 crossreacting group (A2 and A28), and significant negative associations with antigens of the A3 crossreacting group (A3 and A11) were found. Alleles of the HLA-A locus apparently may function as immune response or immune suppressor genes or such alleles are epistatic to the response or suppressor genes. HLA-associated specific IgE response is apparently strongly influenced by genetic regulation of basal IgE level.