How Do HLA-DR and DQ Genes Affect Disease Susceptibility?
HLA-DR and DQ genes are strongly linked to autoimmune diseases. For example, certain alleles (variants) of these genes are associated with a higher risk of developing conditions like type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. These alleles can influence the way the immune system recognizes self and non-self antigens, sometimes leading to inappropriate immune responses.
