HLA molecules, bacteria and autoimmunity.
It has been well established that many diseases are linked to HLA antigens. Two of the most interesting HLA associations may provide some insight into the pathogenesis of rheumatic inflammatory conditions. In ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 96% of patients possess HLA-B27, whilst the frequency of this marker in the general population is c. 8%. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), >90% of patients possess either HLA-DR1 or some subtypes of HLA-DR4, whilst the frequency of this marker in the general population is c. 35%. The association between HLA-B27 and reactive arthritis (ReA) has also been well established. Furthermore, it has been shown that ReA is triggered by infection via the gastrointestinal tract due to Yersinia, Salmonella or Campylobacter spp. and in the genitourinary tract due to chlamydia. In a similar way, microbiological and immunological studies have revealed an association between Klebsiella pneumoniae in AS and Proteus mirabilis in RA. This article reviews the possible pathological implications of the associations between HLA-B27, K. pneumoniae and AS, as well as HLA-DR1/DR4, P. mirabilis and RA.
Ebringer
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Division of Life Sciences, Infection and Immunity Group, King's College, 150 Stamford Street, London and *Department of Rheumatology, UCL School of Medicine, Middlesex Hospital, London.
Wilson
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D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D000091402:Prohibitins; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology
D006680:HLA Antigens; C000717331:PHB2 protein, human; D000091402:Prohibitins