title: Mimicry of human histocompatibility HLA-B27 antigens by Klebsiella pneumoniae.
abstract: Anti-HLA-B27 monoclonal antibody M2, which was relatively specific for human histocompatibility antigen HLA-B27, was used to test several bacteria, some of which could potentially induce chronic arthritis in HLA-B27-positive individuals. Using the Western blot procedure, we observed positive reactions with 80,000- and 60,000-dalton antigens with one strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Reactivity was not observed with five other monoclonal antibodies which were not reactive with HLA-B27 antigens, nor was reactivity observed with seven other gram-negative bacteria, irrespective of their arthritis-causing potential. To test the validity of our observation, the 80,000-dalton Klebsiella cross-reactive antigen was isolated and used to generate an immune guinea pig serum. We found that the reactivity of this guinea pig serum with Klebsiella envelopes in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was adversely affected by absorption with HLA-B27-positive cells. Our results support the existence of mimicry between HLA-B27 antigens and bacteria.
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D003902:Detergents; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D003902:Detergents; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen