Ankylosing spondylitis

Variants in the HLA-B gene, particularly a version called HLA-B27, significantly increase the risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis. This condition is a form of painful, ongoing joint inflammation (chronic inflammatory arthritis) that primarily affects the spine. It is uncertain how the HLA-B27 gene variant causes the increased risk. Researchers speculate that HLA-B27 may abnormally display peptides that trigger an immune reaction, resulting in the inflammatory process that causes arthritis.  Other research suggests that the joint inflammation characteristic of this disorder may result from improper folding of the HLA-B27 protein or the presence of abnormal forms of the protein on the cell surface. It is possible that HLA-B27 may increase the risk of ankylosing spondylitis through more than one mechanism, or by different mechanisms in different individuals based on their genetic and environmental background.

Although many people with ankylosing spondylitis have the HLA-B27 variation, most people with this version of the HLA-B gene never develop the disorder. It is estimated that among those with the HLA-B27 allele, only one to five percent develop ankylosing spondylitis. Additional HLA-B alleles play a smaller role in disease risk: the HLA-B47 and HLA-B51 alleles can contribute to increased risk, whereas the HLA-B7 and HLA-B57 alleles might provide some small amount of protection against developing the condition. Other genetic and environmental factors, many of which are unknown, affect the chances of developing ankylosing spondylitis and influence its progression.

Behçet disease

Several versions of the HLA-B gene, particularly HLA-B51, are associated with an increased risk of developing Behçet disease, a chronic inflammatory condition that affects many parts of the body. This association is strongest in people from Japan, the Middle East, and other parts of Asia. Researchers do not know how HLA-B51 increases the risk of this disorder. Although many people with Behçet disease have the HLA-B51 variation, most people with this version of the HLA-B gene never develop the condition. It appears likely that other factors, such as viral or bacterial infections and changes in other genes, also influence the development of this complex disorder.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

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Psoriatic arthritis

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Rheumatoid arthritis

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Shingles

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Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis

Several variations of the HLA-B gene have been studied as risk factors for Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), a potentially life-threatening skin reaction most often triggered by medications. For example, the variation HLA-B*1502 increases the risk of SJS/TEN in people taking certain medications used to treat seizures, particularly a drug called carbamazepine. This version of the gene is most common among people of Han Chinese or southeast Asian descent. Another version of the gene, HLA-B*5801, increases the risk of SJS/TEN in people treated with allopurinol (a drug used to treat kidney stones and gout, which is a form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the joints). This association has been confirmed in southeast Asians and in people of non-Asian ancestry, although HLA-B*5801 occurs less frequently in non-Asian populations.

Studies suggest that the HLA-B gene variations associated with SJS/TEN cause the immune system to react abnormally to some medications. In a process that is not well understood, the triggering drug causes immune cells called cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells to release a substance called granulysin. This substance destroys cells in the skin and mucous membranes, including the lining of the mouth and the airways. The death of these cells causes severe blistering and peeling that can have life-threatening effects.

Most people who have variations in the HLA-B gene that are associated with an increased risk of SJS/TEN never develop the condition, even if they are exposed to drugs that can trigger it. Researchers believe that additional genetic and nongenetic factors, many of which are unknown, likely play a role in whether a particular individual develops SJS/TEN.

Other disorders

The HLA-B27 variant is associated with a group of inflammatory joint diseases related to ankylosing spondylitis. These conditions are known as spondyloarthropathies. Some of these disorders are associated with a common skin condition called psoriasis or with chronic disorders that cause inflammation of the intestinal walls (inflammatory bowel disease). One of the spondyloarthropathies, reactive arthritis, is typically triggered by bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal or genital tract. Following an infection, affected individuals may develop arthritis, back pain, and eye inflammation. Like ankylosing spondylitis, many factors probably contribute to the development of reactive arthritis and other spondyloarthropathies.

Among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, a version of the HLA-B gene designated HLA-B*5701 increases the risk of an adverse reaction (hypersensitivity) to the drug abacavir. This medication slows the spread of the HIV-1 virus in the body. People with abacavir hypersensitivity often develop a fever, chills, rash, upset stomach, and other symptoms when treated with this drug.

Several variations of the HLA-B gene appear to play a role in the progression of HIV infection to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is a disease that damages the immune system, preventing it from effectively defending the body against infections. The signs and symptoms of AIDS may not appear until 10 or more years after infection with HIV. Studies suggest that people with HIV infection who have HLA-B27 or HLA-B57 tend to progress more slowly than usual to AIDS. On the other hand, researchers believe that HIV-positive individuals who have HLA-B35 tend to develop the signs and symptoms of AIDS more quickly than usual. Other factors also influence the progression of HIV infection to AIDS.

Another version of the HLA-B gene, HLA-B53, has been shown to help protect against severe malaria, a disease caused by a parasite that is carried by mosquitoes. HLA-B53 is most common in West African populations, where malaria is a frequent cause of death in children. Studies suggest that this version of the HLA-B gene may help the immune system respond more effectively to the parasite that causes malaria.