Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Influence of human histocompatibility antigens on susceptibility to and clinical expression of psychiatric diseases

Understanding the molecular basis of diseases is increasingly more important for their diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Located in the short arm of chromosome 6, the human histocompatibility system - human leukocyte antigens (HLA) - participates in the pathogenesis of some psychiatric disorders. Development of new molecular methods to typify HLA alleles and recent nomenclature updates have been contributing to a better understanding of this system. Unfortunately, this information has not been adequately disclosed in the medical literature. This article aims to review HLA structure, antigen function, detection methods, and current nomenclature, as well as to describe its association with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism. Articles published between 1995 and 2005 (to reflect the most recent knowledge of the subject) were searched in the MEDLINE and LILACS databases. It is concluded that HLA antigens influence risk, clinical status, and therapeutic response of some mental disorders, even if they do not act alone on these pathologic processes. Although HLA has been associated with schizophrenia (HLA-DRB1*0101), autism (HLA-DR4), and bipolar disorder (HLA class I), these associations vary across different ethnicities and clinical manifestations. The best definition of genetic markers associated with mental disorders is important to understand possible pathogenic mechanisms, predict individual risk of developing these diseases, and contribute to future prophylactic or therapeutic interventions.

HLA antigens; psychiatric diseases; major histocompatibility complex


Sociedade de Psiquiatria do Rio Grande do Sul Av. Ipiranga, 5311/202, 90610-001 Porto Alegre RS Brasil, Tel./Fax: +55 51 3024-4846 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brazil
E-mail: revista@aprs.org.br