ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the predisposing role of HLA-DRB1, DQB1 genes in pemphigus vulgaris (PV).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Polymerase chain reaction-specific sequence primers method was used to type HLA-DRB1, DQB1 subregion in the patients with PV of Han nationality from Jiangsu and Anhui provinces and matched control subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DR4, DRB1*14(*1401,*1404,*1405) gene frequencies in PV patients were significantly higher than those in controls (Pc<0.05 and Pc<0.01 respectively). DQB1*0302, DQB1*0503 gene frequencies were significantly higher in PV patients (Pc<0.05). Further typing of DR4 positive subjects revealed that the gene frequencies of DRB1*0406, *0403 were significantly increased in PV patients as compared with controls (Pc<0.05). The haplotype frequencies of HLA-DRB1*04, DQB1*0302 and HLA-DRB1*14, DQB1*0503 in PV patients were significantly higher than those in controls (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggest that the combination of HLA-DRB1*4, DQB1*0302 and HLA-DRB1*14, DQB1*0503 forms putative susceptible haplotypes for PV patients in Chinese Hans.</p>