Tunisian endemic pemphigus foliaceus is associated with the HLA-DR3 gene: anti-desmoglein 1 antibody-positive healthy subjects bear protective alleles

Abstract

These observations indicate that a particular genetic background characterizes the Tunisian endemic form of pemphigus foliaceus and that HLA class II genes control the pathogenic properties of the autoimmune response rather than the initial breakage of B-cell tolerance.