Histocompatibility (HLA) antigens and eye diseases other than uveitis

Familial HLA-B*52 Vasculitis: Maternal, Atypical Cogan's Syndrome with Takayasu Arteritis-mimicking Aortitis and Filial Takayasu Arteritis

Cogan's syndrome (CS), a rare vasculitis characterized by non-syphilitic, interstitial keratitis and Ménière-like attacks, is classified into "typical" and "atypical" forms, while Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a rare large-vessel vasculitis associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*52. Very few cases meet both the CS and TAK classification criteria. We herein report a 53-year-old woman diagnosed with atypical CS and aortitis similar to TAK. Her 25-year-old daughter manifested TAK without symptoms of CS, and both are HLA-B*52 positive. Our case highlights the difficulties of distinguishing aortitis with atypical CS from aortitis with TAK.

[Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system in ophthalmology]

Various inflammatory and non-inflammatory eye diseases are associated with specific HLA isotypes. Therefore, HLA isotyping can be a useful diagnostic tool for these diseases and has already been shown to reduce the rejection rate of corneal allografts. Unfortunately, the volume of published data and the varying quality of these publications complicate obtaining good overview in this field. This review briefly summarizes the genetic structure of the HLA system and elucidates differences between HLA classes I and II in the context of antigen presentation. Possible mechanisms of HLA associations in the field of ophthalmology are discussed, and finally different tools (e.g. genome wide association studies) for assessing associations of HLA isotypes with different ocular diseases are examined.

Multiple sclerosis, euthyroid restrictive Grave's ophthalmopathy, and myasthenia gravis. A case report

A 53-year-old physician with a 13-year history of multiple sclerosis presented with the subacute onset of an atypical, restrictive, euthyroid Grave's ophthalmopathy. The hypotropia and monocular upgaze restriction responded to a course of systemic and local steroids. Three months later, the patient developed ocular and systemic features of myasthenia gravis. This is the second reported case of coincident multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and thyroid-related disease complex.