SPONDYLARTHROPATHIES AND HLA-B27 SUBTYPES IN SOME POPULATIONS OF RUSSIAN NORTH

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of HLA-B27 subtypes i n development of ankylosing spondylitis and other seronegative spondyl arthropathies. Using olygotyping techniques we stud led native DNA of 219 HLA-B27 positive natives: 88 Chukotka residents and 131 Mordovians (Russian Ugro-Finnish population). Only subtypes HLA-B2705 and B*270 2 were revealed. A dominant subtype of HLA-B27 among the natives was H LA-B2705: 99% among residents of Chukotka and 86% among mordovians. I t was established that among spondylarthropathic patients the frequenc y of B2705 does not differ from its incidence in the studied populati ons. The data support the suggestion that several B27 subtypes and com mon genetic determinant of B27 gene may be involved in pathogenesis of spondylarthropathy.