Immunogenetic risk assessment in human disease

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Recent findings have increased our understanding of HLA and the immunoglobulin allotypes Gm and Km, and their role in the genetic control of immune responsiveness and susceptibility to disease. These significant discoveries, which were presented at the international conference on Immunogenetic Risk Assessment in Human Disease held in Charleston, S.C., in March 1994, are now featured in this special issue. Some of the contributions discuss modern molecular methods for the detection of these polymorphic systems as well as their influence on the predisposition to various human diseases - especially autoimmune and infectious diseases. Other articles review biometrical methods employed to identify genes implicated in human diseases. Furthermore, possible reasons for the evolution of the extensive polymorphism of HLA and Gm systems are given. This fascinating publication on two important gene complexes of the human immune system will be of great value to scientists working in the fields of immunology, and immunogenetics, human genetics, genetic epidemiology, population genetics and physical anthropology.