Abstract: Objective To study the relationship between HLA-DRB1 alleles and the systematic lupus erythematosus of the Zhuang Nationality in Guangxi Province.Methods Allele polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers(PCR-SSP)were used to study the HLA-DRB1 allele genes in 52 patients with SLE and 70 healthy controls of the Zhuang Nationality in Guangxi Province.Results The allele frequencies of HLA-DRB1*1401 and HLA-DRB1*16 were significantly less in SLE patients than those of the controls(RR=0.28,χ²=5.00,P=0.02 and RR=0.39,χ²=3.95,P=0.05).HLA-DRB1*08,DRB1*11 and DRB1*13 alleles were not found in these two groups.Conclusion Our data suggest that the HLA-DRB1*1401 and HLA-DRB1*16 might be protecting genes for SLE in Guangxi Zhuang nationality.No susceptible gene is found in our study.

Key words: Lupus erythematosus, Systemic HLA-DR antigens