How to understand the association of the HLA system and autoimmune endocrine disorders

The acquisition of a new nomenclature and the development of molecular methods for the assignment of major histocompatibilty complex (MHC) alleles have widely contributed to the understanding of the extensive polymorphism of the system; however, many doubts have arisen to the non-specialist in terms of MHC and disease association. In order to understand the MHC polymorphism and the association with endocrine diseases as type 1 diabetes mellitus, Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Addison’s disease, autoimmune polyglandular syndromes and premature ovarian failure, in this report we revised relevant aspects of MHC molecules, genes, typing methods as well as the new nomenclature.

HLA; MHC; type 1 Diabetes Mellitus; Grave’s disease; Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; Addison’s disease