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HLA-B27 subtypes in the spondarthropathies
1Division of Immunological Medicine, Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, UK.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|February 1, 1993
Summary
The human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) subtypes were analyzed in British spondarthropathy patients. The study found HLA-B27 subtype B*2705 is most prevalent in spondarthropathy, suggesting shared molecular features drive disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Rheumatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) is strongly associated with spondarthropathy (Sp).
- At least seven HLA-B27 subtypes (B*2701-07) exist, with B*2701, B*2702, B*2705, and B*2707 found in Caucasian populations.
- Understanding the distribution of these subtypes in Sp patients is crucial for elucidating disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of HLA-B27 subtypes in British patients diagnosed with spondarthropathy.
- To determine if specific HLA-B27 subtypes are more prevalent in different forms of Sp, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), reactive arthritis (ReA), undifferentiated Sp (USp), and pauciarticular juvenile-onset chronic arthritis (pJCA).
Main Methods:
- Human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) positive subjects (n=133) and healthy controls (n=35) were recruited.
- HLA-B27 subtypes were identified using 35S-labelled immunoprecipitation followed by isoelectric focusing based on isoelectric point (pI).
- Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against B27 facilitated subtype assignment without requiring full Class I HLA typing.
Main Results:
- The vast majority of HLA-B27 positive subjects (95%) carried the B*2705 subtype.
- This prevalence of B*2705 was observed across various Sp phenotypes (AS, ReA, USp, pJCA) and in healthy Caucasian controls.
- The B*2702 subtype was identified in a small proportion of patients, while B*2701 and B*2707 were not detected.
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) was observed in patients with both B*2702 and B*2705 subtypes, extending to ReA and Asian Indian AS patients.
Conclusions:
- The human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) subtype B*2705 is overwhelmingly prevalent in British spondarthropathy (Sp) patients.
- The presence of Sp across different HLA-B27 subtypes (B*2702 and B*2705) suggests that shared molecular features, rather than subtype-specific regions, are implicated in Sp pathogenesis.
- Further research into these shared molecular characteristics may offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying spondarthropathy.