HLA‐DRB1*03:01 is associated with female sex and younger age of anti‐LGI1 encephalitis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotype and clinical characteristics of anti-LGI1 encephalitis. METHODS: HLA genotyping was performed in 34 patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis admitted to West China Hospital between April 2014 and May 2021, as well as in 305 healthy controls. The online tool NetMHCIIpan 4.0 and AutoDock Vina software were used to predict binding between LGI1 peptide and HLA class II molecules. RESULTS: ). Compared to carriers of the DRB1*07:01 allele, those with the DRB1*03:01 allele were more likely to be female (93.3% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.004) and to be younger (median age = 38 vs. 65 years, p < 0.001). DRB1*03:01 carriers showed stronger response to immunotherapy than carriers of the DRB1*07:01 allele, based on median score decrease on the modified Rankin scale (2, interquartile range = 1-2 vs. 1, interquartile range = 0-1; p = 0.03) at 4 weeks after immunotherapy. Prediction and docking algorithms suggested that the LGI1 peptide can bind to the DRB1*03:01 molecule strongly. CONCLUSIONS: The strong association between anti-LGI1 encephalitis and certain HLA class II alleles supports a primary autoimmune origin for the disease. Carriers of the DRB1*03:01 allele in Chinese patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis are more likely to be female, to suffer earlier disease onset, and to respond better to immunotherapy.