B. Cedergren

Genetic Markers in Patients with Intracranial Aneurysms

HLA antigens, blood group systems (ABO, Rh, MNSs, P, Kell, Lewis and Duffy) and serum group systems (Hp, Tf, Gc, Pi, Bf, C3 and C4) were studied in a series of patients with intracranial aneurysms. A significantly increased frequency of HLA antigen A28, a significantly decreased frequency of HLA antigen B40, and a significantly decreased frequency of complement factor C4 B2 was found among the patients when compared with controls from the same geographic area.

HL-A Antigens, Blood Groups, Serum Groups and Red Cell Enzyme Types in Psoriasis

Frequencies of HL-A antigens, blood groups (ABO, Rh, MNSs, Kell, Lewis and Duffy), serm groups (Hp, Gc and C3) and red cell enzyme types (PGM1· 6-PGD and AK) were studied in a series of 122

Blood Groups and HLA Antigens in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Frequencies of blood groups (ABO, Rh, MNSs, P, Kell, Lewis and Duffy) and HLA antigens were studied in a series of patients from northern Sweden with abdominal aortic aneurysms. The following significant differences from the controls were found: a decreased frequency of the Rh-negative blood group and increased frequencies of the Kell-positive and MN blood groups. Previously reported associations with the ABO and Rh systems were not confirmed.

Serum Protein and Red Cell Enzyme Polymorphisms in Affective Disorders

Frequencies of serum groups (Hp and Gc) and red cell enzyme types (PGM1, 6-PGD and ES D) were studied in 195 patients with affective disorders. The patients were classified into four groups: (1) bipolar (manic-depressive) psychosis; (2) unipolar, recurrent, depressive psychosis; (3) non-psychotic reactive depression, and (4) unclassifiable. The Hp2 gene was increased in reactive and unclassifiable patients, the PGM1 1 gene was increased in bipolar patients and the ES D1 gene in reactive patients. No associations were found between affective disorders and the Gc and 6-PGD systems.

Transferrin C Subtypes and Occupational Photodermatosis of the Face

In a factory in northern Sweden where 120 workers were uniformly exposed to photoactive substances 73 developed occupational facial eczema while 47 showed no reaction. The workers were examined with respect to 16 genetic marker systems: HLA, blood groups (ABO, Rh, MNSs, P, K, Le and Fy) and serum groups (Hp, Tf, Gc, Pi, Bf, C3, C4 and C6). Between reactors and nonreactors the following differences were found: (1) a significant decrease (p less than 0.05) of HLA A11 among the reactors; (2) a significant increase (p less than 0.05) of the C3 FS type among the reactors; (3) a highly significant increase (p less than 0.001) of the transferrin C2 gene and of the C2 variant among the reactors. The association with Tf C2 remained significant also after correction for number of significance tests. Since transferrin (iron) is known to catalyze the formation of hydroxyl radicals we hypothesize that the Tf C2 variant is more efficient in promoting radical formation and thereby cell damage. Other results supporting the notion that transferrin C2 may be associated with an increased susceptibility to toxic damage are discussed.

Genetic Polymorphism of the Complement Component C3 in Swedish Lapps

The C 3 polymorphism was studied by agarose gel electrophoresis in a series of serum samples from 148 Swedish Lapps. The frequencies of the genes C31 and C32 were estimated to be

HLA antigens, blood groups and serum protein groups in patients with intermittent claudication

HLA (A and B) antigens, blood group systems (AB0, Rh, MNSs P, Kell, Lewis and Duffy) and serum group systems (Hp, Tf, Pi, C3 and C4) were studied in patients with intermittent claudication (IC) and controls. HLA antigen A 28 was significantly more common, and blood group 0 was significantly less common among the patients than among the controls. A comparison between patients with IC and those with abdominal aortic aneurysms showed a significant difference between these two groups concerning the MN blood groups.

Blood Groups, Serum Groups and Red Cell Enzyme Types in Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Frequencies of blood groups (ABO, MNSs, Lewis and Duffy), serum groups (Hp, Gc, Tf, C3 and Pi) and red cell enzyme types (PGM1, 6PGD, AK and ESD) were studied in 195 patients with allergic contact dermatitis caused by one or several allergens. The frequency of the blood group 0 was found to be significantly lower among patients with contact allergy, whereas the frequencies of the blood group Le (a–b–), the haptoglobin group Hp 1–1 and of rare Pi types (MS and MZ) were significantly increased. A significant deficiency of heterozygotes was found in the PGM1 system. In the Gc system the frequency of the Gc1 gene varied between patients with different numbers of allergies.

Red Cell Enzyme Types in Psoriasis

Seven red cell enzyme systems were examined for electrophoretic variation in a series of psoriatic patients. In two polymorphic (ADA, ES D) and four non-polymorphic systems (SOD, MDH, LDH, Dia) no deviations from normal controls were found. In the acid phosphatase system the frequency of the pa gene was found to be decreased.

Association between Duffy Blood Groups and Serum Level of the Pregnancy Zone Protein

In a previous study of psoriatic patients we found increased serum levels of the pregnancy zone protein (PZ) in individuals of blood groups O and Fy(a-). In this study we found an association between the PZ serum level and the Fy(a-) blood group also in young healthy males. Thus the association between the PZ serum level and Duffy blood groups appears to apply to both normal and pathological conditions.