title: HLA-B*51 and Behçet Disease.
abstract: Behçet disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. BD has a multifactorial pathogenesis, and genetics plays a critical role in the development of the disease. Association of HLA-B5/B*51 has been recognized as the strongest genetic susceptibility factor for BD discovered so far. Pathogenic role of HLA-B*51 in BD has yet to be clarified, and available data suggest that there is possibly no single mechanism associated with HLA-B*51. HLA-B*51 may accomplish its effects as a combination of different HLA class I-associated functions and/or structural properties of HLA-B*51 heavy chain. There is no evidence supporting the use of HLA-B*51 as a diagnostic or prognostic marker for BD, and more clinical data must be collected in addition to basic immunological studies to exploit the potential of HLA-B*51 as a biomarker for BD management.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. agul@istanbul.edu.tr
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gul
authors.forename: Shigeaki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D015235:HLA-B Antigens; C035270:HLA-B5 antigen