Gm, Km, and HLA in insulin-dependent type I diabetes mellitus. A log-linear analysis of association.

Two hundred sixty families, in which at least one family member had insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus (IDDM), were typed for HLA antigens and the Gm and Km allotypes. Frequencies of Gm and Km allotypes in the diabetic subjects were compared with family controls (oldest nondiabetic sibling within a family). There were no significant differences between patients and controls for either Gm or Km allotype frequencies considered individually. When the log-linear model was used to analyze subjects and sibling controls, three significant findings emerged. First, there was a significant HLA-Gm interaction, indicating nonrandom segregation of HLA antigens with Gm allotypes, regardless of disease status. Second, there was, as expected, a significant HLA-IDDM interaction, indicating that HLA type is nonrandom with respect to IDDM status. Third, there was a significant HLA-sex-Gm-IDDM interaction, indicating that combinations of HLA antigens, Gm allotypes, and sex may play an important role in defining risk for IDDM. Thus, Gm and sex interacting with HLA may reflect the influence of an unlinked modifier previously hypothesized for IDDM pathogenesis.