Possible interaction between HLA and Ig light chain markers in susceptibility to uveitis.

We detected and analysed the Gm and Km allotype markers of Ig in 57 patients affected by uveitis, an ocular inflammation with multifactorial etiology. The aim of the present study has been to investigate the possibility that different immunogenetic factors predispose to the various forms of the disease. We found a statistically significant alteration of Km(1) allele frequency (relative risk = 2.65). That seems to predispose to anterior uveitis, especially when associated with a blank at HLA-A locus (RR = 7.83) but predispose to the posterior form when in combination with HLA-B38 (RR = 19.24). Moreover, a high frequency of Km(1)/A blank phenotypic association was noticed in uveitis with infectious aetiology (RR rising to 10.44). The Km(1) genotype may itself predispose to uveitis and its combination with different HLA alleles could enhance the susceptibility to one particular form rather than to another.