Genetics of the spondyloarthropathies.

Following three decades of study of the genetics of the spondyloarthropathies by segregation analysis of families, research has increasingly made use of new methods of molecular genetics and immunology. In the past year, most attention has been given to the structure and function of HLA-B27, which, with its various subtypes, is the major phenotype contributing to susceptibility to this group of disorders. Structural studies have revealed which structures are responsible for the common antigenic properties and which are responsible for subtype specificities. Application of increasing understanding of the function of class I HLA antigens is permitting the development of various models of disease. Successful production of HLA-B27 transgenic animals holds promise for testing these models.