Behçet's disease

Arthritis Res Ther. 2003;5(3):139-46. doi: 10.1186/ar757. Epub 2003 Apr 2.

Abstract

Behçet's disease is characterized by recurrent aphthous stomatitis, uveitis, genital ulcers, and skin lesions. The role of the HLA-B*51 gene has been confirmed in recent years, although its contribution to the overall genetic susceptibility to Behçet's disease was estimated to be only 19%. The production of a variety of cytokines by T cells activated with multiple antigens has been shown to play a pivotal role in the activation of neutrophils. As regards the treatment, anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy has been shown to be effective for mucocutaneous symptoms as well as for sight-threatening panuveitis, although a randomized, controlled trial is required.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behcet Syndrome / genetics*
  • Behcet Syndrome / therapy
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • HLA-B Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-B Antigens / physiology
  • HLA-B51 Antigen
  • Humans

Substances

  • HLA-B Antigens
  • HLA-B51 Antigen