Measurement of HLA class I expression in ankylosing spondylitis.
The importance of HLA-B27 in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis is uncertain: current evidence favours a role for the B27 molecule itself. The possibility that quantitative differences in HLA-B27 expression may exist between patients with ankylosing spondylitis, family members, and control subjects positive for B27 was examined using appropriate monoclonal antibodies, flow cytometry, and a 'model lymphocyte' coated with a known number of mouse immunoglobulin binding sites. No differences were found between the groups. HLA-A2, examined for comparison, was expressed in greater amounts than HLA-B27, but each contributed only 10-20% of the total class I antigens. Homozygotes expressed twice the amount of antigen expressed by heterozygotes. Synovial lymphocytes expressed more class I antigens than peripheral lymphocytes.
Creamer
P
P
Department of Rheumatology, St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Edmonds
J
J
Sullivan
J
J
Matthews
S
S
D005190:Family; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D006680:HLA Antigens; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen