DQ4

DQ4 is a HLA-DQ serotype that is used to identify the HLA-DQ4 gene product. It is a part of the HLA-DQ gene locus, which is a part of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) on chromosome 6. The HLA-DQ4 serotype is associated with several autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 diabetes, Celiac disease, and Rheumatoid arthritis.

Structure and Function

The HLA-DQ4 molecule is a heterodimer, consisting of an α-chain and a β-chain. The α-chain is encoded by the HLA-DQA1 gene, while the β-chain is encoded by the HLA-DQB1 gene. The molecule is expressed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells, where it presents peptides to CD4+ T cells.

Disease Associations

HLA-DQ4 has been associated with several autoimmune diseases. These include:

• Type 1 diabetes: HLA-DQ4 is less common in individuals with type 1 diabetes, suggesting a protective effect.
• Celiac disease: HLA-DQ4 is not associated with celiac disease, unlike HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: HLA-DQ4 is associated with a decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

See Also

• HLA-DQ
• Major Histocompatibility Complex
• Type 1 diabetes
• Celiac disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis

DQ4 Resources
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