NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS IN NEW-ZEALAND MAORI - A RELATIONSHIP WITH CLASS-I BUT NOT CLASS-II HISTOCOMPATIBILITY LOCUS ANTIGENS

Aims. To investigate the possibility of a relationship between the maj or histocompatibility complex (MHC) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Maori. Such relationships have previously been sh own in non-European races with a high incidence of NIDDM. Methods. We performed serological Class I and PCR-SSP Class II HLA typing on 44 Ma ori with NIDDM and renal failure and compared the results with normal Maori. Results. A strong relationship with the HLA-B40 groups of antig ens (relative risk 5.1 chi(2) = 16.8, p<0.001) was found; this was mai nly attributable to HLA-B48 and HLA-B60. There was no HLA Class II rel ationship. Conclusion. The relationship with HLA-B40 antigens suggests that the MHC or other genes on chromosome 6 play a role in NIDDM in M aori.