Objective: To investigate the relationship between HLA-DR4/1 subtypes and T cell responses to type II collagen or anti-CII 263-272 antibodies.
Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and sera were obtained from 70 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. T cell proliferative responses to CII 263-272 were evaluated by [(3)H] thymidine incorporation assay. Antibodies specific to CII 263-272 were determined by ELISA. HLA-DR4/1 subtypes were analyzed by PCR-SSP.
Results: In HLA-DR4/1 positive group, T cell proliferative responses to CII 263-272 were observed in 55.6% RA patients and anti-CII 263-272 antibodies were present in 66.7% RA patients. In HLA-DR4/1 negative group, T cell proliferative responses to CII 263-272 were observed in 30.3% RA patients and anti-C II 263-272 antibodies were present in 34.8% RA patients. The number of positive antibodies to CII 263-272 or T cell proliferative responses to CII 263-272 in HLA-DR4/1 positive group were higher than in negative group.
Conclusion: There is a relationship between HLA-DR4/1 subtypes and T cell responses to CII 263-272 or anti-CII 263-272 antibodies.