Neutrophil function and HLA-B27

The pathogenesis of HLA-B27 linked diseases, including reactive enteroarthritides, is not known. Differences in immune response, cross-reaction between microbial antigens and host cell structures, attachment of microbial components on the host cell surfaces with subsequent autoimmune reaction, and inflammatory responsiveness of the host may be involved. In this contribution we present evidence to show that HLA-B27 positive subjects may be prone to an exaggerated inflammatory response, as compared with HLA-B27 negative subjects.