[Subtypes of the HLA-B27 molecule and association with spondylarthropathies]

Ann Med Interne (Paris). 1998 Apr;149(3):145-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

HLA-B27 subtypes differ in their ethnic distribution and in their susceptibility to spondylarthropathies (SA). B*2705 and B*2702 are the most frequent disease-associated subtypes in Caucasians as well as B*2704 and B*2707 in Asia while B*2706 in Asia and B*2709 in Sardinia have been reported not to be associated to SA. Differences in antigenic peptide presentation could underlie such behavior. Several studies suggested that a Tyr C-terminal peptide anchor could be found preferentially in disease-associated subtypes and could be therefore one of the criteria in the search of putative arthritogenic peptide(s). We analyzed by HPLC and Edman sequencing peptides eluted from immunopurified HLA-B27 molecules expressed on B-lymphoblastoid cell lines or C1R transfectans of human origin. We focused our work on B*2707, associated with SA in the same geographical area where B*2706 is not. We found the same preference for Leu at the C-terminus in the peptides bound by both subtypes without any significant signal for Tyr. In the same experimental conditions a Tyr C-terminal anchor was found for B*2705, B*2702, B*2704, B*2703 and also for B*2701 and B*2708, 2 rare subtypes for which binding specificity was previously unknown. Comparison of the F-pocket aminoacid composition in these various subtypes showed a correlation between Asp at position 116 and Tyr at the peptide C-terminus. Asp116 is changed for Tyr in B*2706, B*2707 and His in B*2709, all subtypes allowing a Leu C-terminal anchor. Therefore a Tyr C-terminal anchor correlates with the HLA-B27 F-pocket composition rather than with susceptibility to SA.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Amino Acid Motifs / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • HLA-B27 Antigen / classification
  • HLA-B27 Antigen / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / genetics*

Substances

  • HLA-B27 Antigen