Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I allele HLA-B27 bears a striking association with the spondylolarthritic group of inflammatory arthritides, yet despite extensive studies its role in the disease process remains obscure. As an MHC class I protein, the primary function of HLA-B27 is to complex with beta(2)-microglobulin forming a structure that presents short antigenic peptides for recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). It has been proposed that the role of HLA-B27 in spondyloarthropathy involves this process of antigen presentation, and of the numerous theories proposed to explain the association, the most popular have involved the binding and presentation of "arthritogenic" peptides. Transgenic rodent studies directly implicate HLA-B27 heavy chains in disease pathogenesis, but suggest that the mechanism may be distinct from their primary function. The recent demonstration that HLA-B27 heavy chains can form stable homodimers may thus be of relevance. This review summarizes the evidence supporting current theories of disease association and proposes an alternative model of disease based on recent findings.

Original publication

DOI

10.1007/s002510050596

Type

Journal article

Journal

Immunogenetics

Publication Date

11/1999

Volume

50

Pages

220 - 227

Keywords

Alleles, Animals, Antigen Presentation, Disease Models, Animal, Epitopes, HLA-B27 Antigen, Humans, Spondylitis, Ankylosing