title: Genetic susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: Ankylosing spondylitis is a highly heritable, common rheumatic condition, primarily affecting the axial skeleton. The association with HLA-B27 has been demonstrated worldwide, and evidence for a role of HLA-B27 in disease comes from linkage and association studies in humans, and transgenic animal models. However, twin studies indicate that HLA-B27 contributes only 16% of the total genetic risk for disease. Furthermore, there is compelling evidence that non-B27 genes, both within and outwith the major histocompatability complex, are involved in disease aetiology. In this post-genomic era we have the tools to help elicit the genetic basis of disease. This review describes methods for genetic investigation of ankylosing spondylitis, and summarises the status of current research in this exciting area.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Centre For Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sims
authors.forename: B Paul
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Wordsworth
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000209:etiology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000235:genetics*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II