EXCESSIVE FUNCTION OF PERIPHERAL-BLOOD NEUTROPHILS FROM PATIENTS WITHBEHCETS-DISEASE AND FROM HLA-B51 TRANSGENIC MICE

Objective, To elucidate the role played by HLA-B51 in the neutrophil h yperfunction of Behcet's disease, we determined the superoxide product ion by purified peripheral blood neutrophils from Behcet's disease pat ients, from HLA-B51 positive healthy individuals, and from HLA-B51 tra nsgenic mice, Methods, Neutrophil function was evaluated by flow cytom etric analysis, detecting the conversion of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin d iacetate into dichlorofluorescein, induced by superoxide in the neutro phils. Results, A significant correlation between the neutrophil hyper function and the possession of HLA-B51 phenotype, regardless of the pr esence of the disease, was observed in humans, FMLP-stimulated neutrop hils (without in vitro priming) from HLA-B51 transgenic mice, but not those from HLA-B35 transgenic mice or from nontransgenic mice, produce d substantial amounts of superoxide. Conclusion, The HLA-B51 molecule itself may be responsible, at least in part, for neutrophil hyperfunct ion in Behcet's disease.