HLA-DRB1 gene sequences in HLA-DR4 positive and negative patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
The second exon of the DRB1 gene encoding for the first domain of the HLA-DR beta 1-chain was sequenced in 16 patients (10 DR4/DR1 positive, 6 DR4/DR1 negative) with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We could confirm the strong association of susceptibility to RA with functionally equivalent conformations on otherwise distinct MHC molecules. At least one HLA-DR allele in all of the analysed DR4 or DR1 positive patients showed such an epitope with a minimal variability limited to residue 71. However, in HLA-DR4 and -DR1 negative patients such a similar epitope could not be detected.
Becking
A
A
Clinical Research Unit on Rheumatology, University of Freiburg, Germany.
Pluschke
G
G
Krawinkel
U
U
Melchers
I
I
Peter
H H
HH
Lang
B
B
D000483:Alleles; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D004247:DNA