ANIMAL-MODELS OF HUMAN-LEUKOCYTE ANTIGEN B27-LINKED ARTHRITIDES

The major histocompatibility complex class I allele human leukocyte an tigen (HLA) B27 is strongly associated with human spondyloarthropathie s. To date, 12 subtypes of HLA-B27 are known and most of them are link ed with human spondyloarthropathies in different ethnic populations. A lthough these subtypes differ from each other by a few amino acids, th e have an identical B pocket in the base of the antigen-binding groove . Considering the structure of HLA-B27 subtypes and their peptide bind ing specificity, it is important to consider their role as antigen-pre senting molecules. Many B27-linked diseases begin after an infection w ith an enterobacteria, suggesting a role for environmental antigens in addition to an HLA-B27 molecule. To delineate the role of infection, studies have been carried out in animal models of reactive arthritidis . More recently, transgenic animal models have been used to understand the handling of environmental antigens by HLA-B27 molecule. This arti cle discusses some of these transgenic and nontransgenic animal models of human diseases.