HL-A-linked human immune-response genes.

Genetic control of the response to specific natural-product antigens has been documented in three informative families. Families were selected on the basis of probands with tuberculosarcoidosis, chronic cutaneous moniliasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. An increased incidence of delayed cutaneous unresponsiveness was observed in each family. Positive associations were identified between HL-A haplotypes and immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity responses to 5, 8, and 11 of 23 test antigens in the three respective families. HL-A-associated differences in averaged responses of cutaneous hypersensitivity were excluded. These significant associations are consistent with linkage between HL-A haplotypes and genes responsible for the immune response to various natural-product antigens.