Bouayad A. Methodological strategies for mapping HLA susceptibility loci in vitiligo: A focused minireview. World J Methodol 2026; 16(3): 112691 [DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v16.i3.112691]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Abdellatif Bouayad, Associate Professor, Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Oujda, Mohammed First University, Mohammed V Avenue, P.O. Box 724, Oujda 4867, Oriental, Morocco. a.bouayad@ump.ac.ma
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Immunology
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review-article
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Bouayad A. Methodological strategies for mapping HLA susceptibility loci in vitiligo: A focused minireview. World J Methodol 2026; 16(3): 112691 [DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v16.i3.112691]
World J Methodol. Sep 20, 2026; 16(3): 112691 Published online Sep 20, 2026. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v16.i3.112691
Methodological strategies for mapping HLA susceptibility loci in vitiligo: A focused minireview
Abdellatif Bouayad
Abdellatif Bouayad, Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Oujda, Mohammed First University, Oujda 4867, Oriental, Morocco
Author contributions: Bouayad A wrote and designed the minireview.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author declares no competing interests.
Corresponding author: Abdellatif Bouayad, Associate Professor, Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Oujda, Mohammed First University, Mohammed V Avenue, P.O. Box 724, Oujda 4867, Oriental, Morocco. a.bouayad@ump.ac.ma
Received: August 4, 2025 Revised: August 11, 2025 Accepted: November 5, 2025 Published online: September 20, 2026 Processing time: 341 Days and 17.3 Hours
Abstract
Some genes, such as HLA class I and class II genes, play important roles in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and its associated autoimmune diseases. Attempts to identify these genes have involved several approaches, including analysis of HLA expression patterns, genetic association studies, and genome-wide association studies. These strategies employ a variety of laboratory techniques, each with distinct advantages and limitations. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current strategies for identifying HLA genes linked to vitiligo susceptibility, with a critical comparison of study designs and methodological approaches. Enhancing these methods is essential to improve accuracy and reliability, ultimately facilitating the development of therapeutic targets and clinically relevant diagnostic biomarkers for patients with vitiligo.
Core Tip: Sequencing-based HLA typing offers higher resolution and can detect novel HLA alleles in vitiligo that may be missed by serological or conventional molecular methods. While gene expression and association studies are susceptible to false positives, rigorous genome-wide association studies incorporating quality control, population stratification adjustment, and replication enhance reliability. Computational modeling of the HLA-peptide-TCR complex holds promise for guiding the development of targeted precision immunotherapies.
