[HLA-DRW antigens and multiple sclerosis].

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 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.