Ankylosing spondylitis pathogenesis

The ankylosing spondylitis and the pathogenesis of AS and HLA-B27 relationship is not very clear so far is that because of multiple factors interactive, and which genes and environmental factors (such as bacterial infection) play an important role. In recent years, major progress in the following aspects: 1. HLA-B27 structure and role 1968 Dr.Eric Thorsby found HLA-B27, 1973 found that the HLA-B27 and AS have a strong correlation According to statistics, 95% of the patients with HLA-B27 (HLA-B27-positive), all HLA-B27 ( +), a 2-10% will eventually develop into AS. In addition to HLA-B27, B7, B22, B40, etc. and AS BW42 also weak correlation. Has HLA-B27 analysis of the structure and amino acid sequences, and confirmed that HLA-B27 is divided into at least seven subtypes (5, 17 ). B27 found that the structure of a "groove" is B27 antigen of the problem is the decision of the key antigen. 2. Relations with the microbes AS incidence or not, and the bacteria causing gastrointestinal or urinary tract infections close. Bacterial infection, often makes B27-positive people incidence, or the incidence of deterioration. Many scholars found: Some bacteria (such as Klebsiella and Yersinia and Shigella spp.) Fragment structure and the structure of the B27 "groove" there are similarities, maybe to immune cells "misconception"! -- Mistook them and normal cells B27 (B27 are normal cells) for the invasion of bacteria, thereby triggering autoimmune disease. This is the so-called molecular similarity theory] [(Molecular mimicry theory). 3. Antigen induced arthritis theory When certain types of bacteria intrusion into the human body, the joints and other places will have some "antigen" (bacteria may fragment or metabolites). These "antigen" can be combined with the B27, and this combination makes the complex (B27 + antigen) into the immune cell targets, thereby triggering a series of immune response - namely, "to arthritis antigen Doctrine" (Arthritogenic peptide theory). At present there are a number of research evidence to support this theory. 4. Animal model Use of transgenic technology, researchers can human HLA-B27 gene into mice, the transgenic mice (Transgenic mice) after exposure to certain environmental factors (such as bacterial infection), also will be the same as human beings have a similar spine Yan symptoms, it provides a good animal model study helps understand ankylosing spondylitis pathogenic mechanism. This type of research is being done in the hope that the future will be very exciting results.