What is the Role of the HLA Complex in Autoimmune Diseases?
The HLA complex is also implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Research has shown strong associations between specific HLA alleles and autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Epidemiologists study these associations to understand the genetic predisposition to these diseases and to identify potential genetic markers for early diagnosis.
