Lack of association between HLA antigen DR3 and alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency in liver transplant recipients.

The relationship between alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (alpha 1-ATD) and the HLA antigen system was studied in 32 liver transplant recipients. Despite previous reports of an association of HLA antigen DR3 with homozygosity for alpha 1-AT ZZ, no such association was seen in this population of alpha 1-ATD homozygous ZZ patients with advanced hepatic disease. Thus, the reported association of HLA class II antigens and homozygosity for the Z allele for alpha 1-AT may be an artifact of either a small study population or geographic inbreeding and a coincidental association of certain HLA antigens with the presence of homozygosity for the Z allele of alpha 1-AT.