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Bouayad A. Human leukocyte antigen variants and clinical features of primary biliary cholangitis: Cumulative contributions. World J Clin Cases 2026; 14(5): 115814 [PMID: 41700179 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v14.i5.115814]
World J Clin Cases. Feb 16, 2026; 14(5): 115814 Published online Feb 16, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v14.i5.115814
Human leukocyte antigen variants and clinical features of primary biliary cholangitis: Cumulative contributions
Abdellatif Bouayad
Abdellatif Bouayad, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Oujda, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60049, Morocco
Author contributions: Bouayad A wrote and designed the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Abdellatif Bouayad, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Oujda, Mohammed First University, 4867 Oujda l’Université, Oujda 60049, Morocco. a.bouayad@ump.ac.ma
Received: October 27, 2025 Revised: January 15, 2026 Accepted: February 4, 2026 Published online: February 16, 2026 Processing time: 107 Days and 13.9 Hours
Abstract
This letter to the editor highlights the importance of considering potential cumulative contributions among human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles in shaping the clinical manifestations of primary biliary cholangitis. Complementing the overview by Curto et al, which focused on non-HLA candidate genes, this paper emphasizes that specific haplotypes of HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQA1, and HLA-DQB1, as well as HLA-G*01:01:01:08/UTR-1, may modulate disease heterogeneity, predisposition to primary biliary cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome, disease progression, and poorer therapeutic response. A comprehensive understanding of these HLA polymorphisms and their interactive effects is essential for improving risk stratification and guiding personalized management of this complex autoimmune liver disease.
Core Tip: Specific classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and haplotypes may influence predisposition to primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), prognosis, and the development of PBC-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome. Potential cumulative contributions between the non-classical HLA-G*01:01:01:08-UTR-1 haplotype and its soluble HLA-G molecules may predict a poor therapeutic response to ursodeoxycholic acid. Thus, soluble HLA-G molecules may serve as novel, non-invasive biomarkers to guide personalized PBC treatment.
