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Effects of HLA-B27 positive and negative sera on migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro
H Repo1, M Leirisalo-Repo, S Koskimies
1Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract:
Sera from both HLA-B27 positive patients with previous yersinia arthritis and healthy HLA-B27 positive subjects have been reported to stimulate chemokinetic migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) more than sera from subjects who are HLA-B27 negative. To study this further we tested chemotactic and chemokinetic activities of sera of 213 consecutive blood donors (27 positive for HLA-B27, 12.7%) and those of 55 children (mean age 20 months, range 6-137 months, 8 positive for HLA-B27, 14.5%). Migration distances of PMNs both in membrane filter and under agarose were longer, although not in a statistically significant way, in HLA-B27 positive adult sera than in HLA-B27 negative ones. Chemokinetic activity of sera of HLA-B27 positive children was very similar to that of HLA-B27 negative children. These results give credence to the view that PMN migration enhancing capacity of HLA-B27 positive sera described previously is acquired secondarily and is not genetically determined.
Insights
HLA-B27 positive sera may enhance polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) migration, but this effect appears acquired, not genetic. Studies on adults and children suggest PMN migration capacity is not inherently linked to HLA-B27 status.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Previous studies suggested that serum from HLA-B27 positive individuals enhances polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemokinetic migration.
- The HLA-B27 antigen is strongly associated with certain autoimmune diseases, including reactive arthritis following Yersinia infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the reported enhanced PMN migration in HLA-B27 positive sera is a genetically determined trait or acquired.
- To compare the chemotactic and chemokinetic activities of sera from HLA-B27 positive and negative adults and children.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 213 adult blood donors (27 HLA-B27 positive) and 55 children (8 HLA-B27 positive) were analyzed.
- Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) migration was assessed using membrane filter and under agarose assays to measure chemotactic and chemokinetic activities.
Main Results:
- Adult sera from HLA-B27 positive individuals showed a trend towards increased PMN migration distances compared to HLA-B27 negative sera, but this was not statistically significant.
- The chemokinetic activity of sera from HLA-B27 positive children was comparable to that of HLA-B27 negative children.
- No significant difference in PMN migration was observed between HLA-B27 positive and negative pediatric sera.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that the PMN migration-enhancing capacity observed in some HLA-B27 positive sera is likely acquired rather than an inherent genetic characteristic.
- This implies that environmental factors or secondary modifications may play a role in the immune response associated with HLA-B27.