HLA-B27-derived peptides as autoantigens for T lymphocytes in ankylosing spondylitis.
OBJECTIVE
To study whether peptides derived from the HLA-B27 molecule sequence can stimulate peripheral blood T lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with HLA-B27-associated spondylarthropathies.


METHODS
PBL from 55 HLA-B27+ patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 28 HLA-B27+ patients with other spondylarthropathies, 7 rheumatoid arthritis patients, and 30 HLA-B27+ and 22 HLA-B27- healthy controls were tested in lymphocyte proliferation assays with 4 synthetic peptides derived from the HLA-B*2705 molecule.


RESULTS
A 13-mer peptide (B27PA) induced significant proliferative responses in 17 of the 55 AS patients (stimulation index [SI] 2.5-17.5), as well as in 3 of the HLA-B27+ healthy controls (SI 2.5-9.8). Another 13-mer peptide (B27PC) induced PBL proliferation (SI 2.7-5.5) in 10 AS patients and in some donors of the control groups. In B27PA-specific T cell lines, an expansion of cells positive for the gamma/delta T cell receptor could be demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that HLA-B27-derived peptides can be recognized as autoantigens by PBL of HLA-B27+ AS patients and B27+ healthy controls. Recent infections preceding the manifestation of AS may be involved in this process of anti-self major histocompatibility complex reactivity.
Märker-Hermann
E
E
Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
Meyer zum Büschenfelde
K H
KH
Wildner
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D010641:Phenotype; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D001324:Autoantigens; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; D010455:Peptides; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D007371:Interferon-gamma