0000000000481827
AUTHOR
Kaisa Granfors
IL 10.G microsatellites mark promoter haplotypes associated with protection against the development of reactive arthritis in Finnish patients.
Objective To investigate the association of microsatellites and single-nucleotide promoter polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene for the cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) with susceptibility to and outcome of reactive arthritis (ReA). Methods From genomic DNA, IL-10 microsatellites G and R and IL-10 promoter polymorphisms at positions −1087 and −524 were typed by polymerase chain reaction, automated fragment length analysis, and restriction fragment digestion in 85 Finnish patients with ReA and 62 HLA–B27–positive Finnish controls. ReA patients had been followed up for 20 years. Genotypes and haplotypes of IL-10 were correlated with distinct features of the disease course, such as triggering agent…
Expression of host defense scavenger receptors in spondylarthropathy
Objective Reactive arthritis (ReA) is postulated to be caused by a defective host defense against gram-negative bacteria. HLA–B27 could play a role in this process, but does not account for the many HLA–B27 negative patients. The objective of this study was to test the expression of 3 macrophage scavenger receptors (SRs) that are responsible for innate immunity against gram-negative bacteria: SR class A type I (SR-AI), SR-AII, and the macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO). We postulate that defects in such receptors might also contribute to the host risk factors that increase the predisposition to ReA and perhaps other subtypes of spondylarthropathy (SpA). Methods Periphera…
Ankylosing spondylitis in monozygotic twins: studies on immunological parameters
OBJECTIVE—To examine immunological parameters that might explain disease discordance in monozygotic twin pairs with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS—11 monozygotic twin pairs (nine with AS, two with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy) were investigated. The peripheral T cell receptor Vβ repertoire was investigated using FACS analysis and 14 different Vβ antibodies. In addition serum samples were tested for antibodies to Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli. Peripheral blood lymphocyte reactivity against a number of bacteria was investigated by interferon γ ELISPOT assays. RESULTS—Twins suffering from AS showed cellula…
The cutting edge of spondylarthropathy research in the millennium
In the last few years, with advances in technology and concept, research on the spondylarthropathies (SpA) has moved from random harvesting of piecemeal data to systematic evaluations of core puzzles. In the Second International Congress of Spondylarthropathies, held in Ghent, Belgium, on October 4–7, 2000, the most recent data were presented and these core puzzles were defined. The factors that are unique to SpA are 1) the site of inflammation is not only the synovium, but also the enthesis; 2) the essential predisposing gene is HLA– B27; 3) a number of other genes are required for development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a prototype of SpA; and 4) certain facultative intracellular Gram…
Persistence ofYersinia antigens in peripheral blood cells from patients withYersinia enterocolitica O:3 infection with or without reactive arthritis
Objective To assess the persistence of bacterial antigens in peripheral blood cells from patients with Yersinia enterocolitica O:3-triggered reactive arthritis (ReA). Methods Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 20 patients with Y enterocolitica O:3 infection (11 with ReA and 9 without). These samples were studied by immunochemical techniques for the presence of Yersinia antigens at the beginning of infection and up to 4 years thereafter. Synovial fluid samples from 6 of the 11 ReA patients were also studied. Results The Yersinia antigens lipopolysaccharide and heat-shock protein (HSP) were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and polymorphonuclear phagocytes from all patie…