Associations between HLA and antibodies to collagen in rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease with a strong association to collagen antibodies. These associations have also been made with other joint and inflammatory diseases. Previous research has revealed that a response to type II collagen may contribute to the pathogenesis of RA. Histocompatibility antigens and HLA-typed patients were studied to extend previous work on this association and to determine if there is a specific gene involved in the pathogenesis of RA. The possible immunogenetic association of RA was studied by examining the antibodies to collagen. The association between RA and collagen antibodies is believed to be disease specific; however the importance of these antibodies needs to be clarified. There were no significant associations between HLA antigens and high antibody titers; however, in previous studies, antibody titers to collagen in patients who were DR4 positive were higher than those who were DR4 negative. There were significant associations made between HLA antigens and high antibody titers to collagen in the 105 patients studied. An association between RA and HLA-DR4 is well established and investigators believe that the gene DR4 may be susceptible to, or closely linked to RA. Clinical subsets of patients with RA may be associated with different combinations of HLA antigens and further research is needed to determine the gene that is activated in rheumatoid arthritis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of

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Shared amino acid sequences between major histocompatiblity complex class II glycoproteins, type XI collagen and Proteus mirabilis in rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

An autoimmune response against proteins in the body that are similar to certain bacterial proteins may be partly responsible for the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Molecular analysis of blood samples from 40 RA patients, 30 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and 30 healthy volunteers revealed that RA patients had higher levels of antibodies against two proteins from a bacterium called Proteus mirabilis. Molecular models of the two bacterial proteins revealed that they had three-dimensional structures very similar to the structures of type XI collagen and a portion of an immune system protein known to be associated with RA. IgG but not IgA antibodies to the bacterial proteins were significantly higher, suggesting that the site of infection in RA patients is within tissue rather than at the surface of an organ.

Hemolysis and hemolysins, Hemolysis

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Decrease in anti-Proteus mirabilis but not anti-Escherichia coli antibody levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with fasting and a one year vegetarian diet

Article Abstract:

The bacterium Proteus (P.) mirabilis may be involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). P. mirabilis occurs naturally in the human gastrointestinal tract. Fifty-three RA patients were divided into two groups: 27 who participated in a clinical trial of fasting and a one year vegetarian diet, and 26 who were allowed to eat anything. Blood antibody levels against P. mirabilis dropped signifcantly in the 12 patients who responded to the vegetarian diet, but not in those who did not respond or those who ate a non-vegetarian diet. The drop in antibody levels was associated with an improvement in symptoms. A vegetarian diet may change the number and types of gastrointestinal bacteria, including P. mirabilis.

Intestines, Intestinal microbiology

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