These genes are responsible for coding the instructions for proteins that provide support for the immune system.
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These genes' proteins bind together to form a protein complex that functions in detection of foreign invaders.
Genes Involved
HLA-DQ2 and HlA-DQ8 Genes
Those who are homozygous dominant with HLA-DQ2 genes, meaning they have two of the gene, carry the highest risk of getting CD. Those who carry DQ2 and DQ8 singularly carry the second highest risk and those who carry just one DQ2 gene have the third highest risk. 30% of the U.S. has the DQ2 gene, however, only 1% of the population carries the disease.
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Everyone has HLA-DQ genes. Two copies: one from mother and one from father. There are many types of this gene, but DQ2 and DQ8 are the ones that raise the risk of getting CD. There are three versions of DQ2, DQ2.5 being the one that carries the highest risk for CD. 13% of Caucasian Americans carry this gene.