1. Measurement of HLA class I expression in ankylosing spondylitis.
- Author
-
Creamer P, Edmonds J, Sullivan J, and Matthews S
- Subjects
- Family, Flow Cytometry, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, HLA-A2 Antigen analysis, HLA-B27 Antigen analysis, Homozygote, Humans, Immunologic Techniques, Spondylitis, Ankylosing genetics, HLA Antigens analysis, Lymphocytes immunology, Spondylitis, Ankylosing immunology
- Abstract
The importance of HLA-B27 in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis is uncertain: current evidence favours a role for the B27 molecule itself. The possibility that quantitative differences in HLA-B27 expression may exist between patients with ankylosing spondylitis, family members, and control subjects positive for B27 was examined using appropriate monoclonal antibodies, flow cytometry, and a 'model lymphocyte' coated with a known number of mouse immunoglobulin binding sites. No differences were found between the groups. HLA-A2, examined for comparison, was expressed in greater amounts than HLA-B27, but each contributed only 10-20% of the total class I antigens. Homozygotes expressed twice the amount of antigen expressed by heterozygotes. Synovial lymphocytes expressed more class I antigens than peripheral lymphocytes.
- Published
- 1992
- Full Text
- View/download PDF