HLA heterogeneity occurs in various ethnic groups and has been signifi
cantly associated with Graves' disease. In this study we have determin
ed that DQ3 is associated with Graves' disease in African-Americans. H
uman leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing of D-region antigens in 139 contro
ls and 45 Graves' disease patients reveals significant differences for
HLA-DR2, DR9, DQ1, and DQ3. The latter remained significant after cor
rection. Increases in HLA-DR9 and DR3 are associated with increases in
DQ3 and DQ2, respectively. The decrease in DR2 is associated with a d
ecrease in DQ1. The associated increases and decreases in DR with DQ a
ntigens probably reflect linkage disequilibrium. Patients were evaluat
ed for autoantibodies against microsomal antigens and/or against thyro
globulin. All of the normal control volunteers were negative for thyro
id antibodies and thirteen percent of patients produced autoantibodies
. No significant associations were detected for antibody production, t
ype of treatment required, age of onset, family history of Graves', st
atus of T-3, T-4 levels, goiter and/or ophthalmopathy.