An HLA-DQ alpha allele identified at DNA and protein level is strongly associated with celiac disease.

An HLA-DQ alpha cDNA probe showed upon hybridization a highly significant discrepancy between the RFLP of celiac disease patients and healthy controls. The 4.0-kb Bgl II restriction fragment was present in 97% of celiac disease patients (n = 30), compared to 56% in a healthy control population (n = 72) (RR = 14.9; p less than 0.0005). At the product level all celiac disease patients tested to date have one DQ alpha chain in common, designated HLA-DQ alpha 2.3, which is associated with the 4.0-kb Bgl II fragment. This HLA-DQ alpha allele identified at the DNA level and product level seems to be a better marker for genetic susceptibility to develop celiac disease than those available to date.