Histocompatibility locus antigen W27 and the rheumatic diseases

Abstract

A new clue in the quest for an etiology of the rheumatic diseases may be the newfound association of certain of these disorders with the presence of the genetically inherited histocompatibility antigen, HL-A W27. The frequency of this antigen is 5% to 10% in the general population; by contrast, its frequency is 85% to 90% in adults with ankylosing spondylitis and Reiter's syndrome and 35% to 40% in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Histocompatibility transplantation antigens are present on the surface of most cells (not erythrocytes) which are capable of inducing a cellular immune response in another of the same species and result in rejection of transplanted tissue or cells.