Do specific pockets of HLA-C molecules predispose Jewish patients to psoriasis vulgaris?
Our study clearly shows that alanine in position 73 is significantly associated with psoriasis vulgaris in Jewish patients. Cw6 and Cw7 have a unique antigen-binding pocket containing both alanine at position 73 and a negatively charged aspartic acid at position 9. These residues are most probably important in determining the conformation of the C pocket and in turn the nature of the peptide bound to it. We suggest that this combination confers the highest risk of the development of psoriasis vulgaris.
These data suggest calcitriol is a potent inhibitor of retinal neovascularization and may be of benefit in the treatment of a variety of eye diseases with a neovascular component.