OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between ankylosing spondylitis and heterogeneity of HLA-B27 in Chinese.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We subtyped HLA-B27 in 76 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 1 200 healthy Chinese of Han nationality. Polymerase chain reaction was designed to amplify specific regions of class I (exon 2 and 3). Amplified sequences were tested with eight sequence-specific oligonucleotides to distinguish all HLA-B27 subtypes.

RESULTS

The HLA-B27 was closely related to ankylosing spondylitis and at least four subtypes presented in Chinese patients. B2704 was the most common subtype, occurring in 54.8% and 50.85% respectively in HLA-B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis patients and healthy controls. The main HLA-B27 subtypes in the HLA-B27 positive patients distributed in similar proportion to those of HLA-B27 positive healthy controls (P < 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalences of various subtypes of HLA-B27 vary in different races. HLA-B2704 is the main subtype in Chinese Han nationality. The HLA-B27 specific residues that are shared by the subtypes might be involved in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis.