Skeletal muscle expression of class II histocompatibility antigens (HLA-DR) in polymyositis and other muscle disorders with an inflammatory infiltrate.
Muscle biopsy specimens with a pronounced inflammatory component were evaluated for myocyte expression of class II histocompatibility antigens (HLA-DR) by immunohistochemical techniques. All 15 cases of polymyositis were positive; six cases of muscular dystrophy (two Duchenne, four facio-scapulo-humeral), and one case of acute denervation (motor neurone disease) were negative, despite having a comparably intense mononuclear infiltrate. Twelve entirely normal biopsy specimens were also negative for HLA-DR expression. Expression of this membrane glycoprotein may have a clinically important aetiological role in polymyositis, and demonstration of its presence may prove useful as a marker for this disorder in selected problematic biopsy specimens.
Zuk
J A
JA
Department of Histopathology, Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Fletcher
A
A
D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D009046:Motor Neurons; D009132:Muscles / Q000276:immunology*; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000276:immunology; D009220:Myositis / Q000276:immunology*; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000276:immunology
D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens