Complete nucleotide sequence of HLA-B*0703, a B7 variant (BPOT).

HLA-B703 (BPOT) is a B7-like antigen segregating within families. To determine the complete B*0703 nucleotide sequence, HLA-ABC-cDNAs derived from the EBV cell line POT71 have been cloned. Four B*0703-positive clones were sequenced to obtain an accurate consensus sequence.

Immunogenetic heterogeneity of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and the antiperinuclear factor.

HLA typing was carried out in 132 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with long term follow up, and special attention was focused on rheumatoid factor negative patients. The patients were divided into four groups: 55 patients with a seropositive RA and a positive antiperinuclear factor (group A); 39 seropositive patients but a negative antiperinuclear factor (group B); 14 patients consistently seronegative for 3-28 years (mean 11.8 years) but positive for antiperinuclear factor (group C); patients consistently negative for 3-28 years (mean 11.

HLA-B SNA antigen: a BW6 associated B locus antigen belonging to the B5 CREG.

A new B locus antigen has been found in members of two unrelated families and in a patient originating from Morocco belonging to the Berber population. A complete analysis has been performed with antisera from the 9th and 10th IHWS defining the B5 CREG antigens. Serology, absorption experiments and family studies indicate that SNA antigen is a Bw6 associated subtype of B5 antigen closely related to but clearly distinct from each of the B5 CREG antigens.

Transplantation of highly sensitized patients on the basis of acceptable HLA-A and B mismatches.

We think that the determination of acceptable mismatches is an efficient approach to increase the chance of finding a crossmatch-negative donor for highly sensitized patients. This approach has several advantages (4,5) namely: 1. There is no need for distribution of patient sera to other tissue typing centers.

HLA-DP in rheumatoid arthritis.

Frequencies of HLA-DR, Dw and DPw specificities were compared between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, Felty's syndrome (FS) patients and normal controls. It was confirmed that the frequency of DR4 was increased in RA patients (54% (n = 111) vs 23% (n = 272), relative risk (RR) = 3.98, P less than 0.

Effect of thymectomy on myasthenia gravis and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura in a 13-year-old girl.

We report the association of myasthenia gravis (MG) and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) in a 13-year-old girl. The co-existence of these autoimmune diseases is rare in adults and, to our knowledge, never described in children. In our patient thymectomy had a therapeutic effect on both MG and AITP, suggesting a altered T-cell function as a pathogenic factor of major importance in both affections.

Remarkably similar response to gold therapy in HLA identical sibs with rheumatoid arthritis.

Two pairs of sibs with definite rheumatoid arthritis responded in a remarkably similar way to parenteral gold therapy, in terms of both toxicity and efficacy. Both pairs proved to be HLA identical. One of the pairs possessed the HLA antigens B8 and DR3, which have been associated with both drug toxicity and excellent clinical response.

HLA-B POT: a new HLA-antigen within the B7-cross reactive group.

In this report, a new HLA-B locus antigen is described (tentatively called POT). The antigen has been identified with antisera against the antigens that belong to the B7-cross reacting group. In a collaborative study, based on exchange of cells and sera, it was confirmed by population and family studies that the antigen is distinct from B7, Bw42 or Bw73 and is associated with Bw6.

The influence of HLA phenotypes on the response to parenteral gold in rheumatoid arthritis.

One hundred and ten patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied for a possible influence of HLA phenotypes on the reaction to parenteral gold in the first 6 months of treatment, in terms of both clinical response and toxicity. Frequencies of HLA-B8 and -DR3 were significantly increased in patients who responded excellently to gold treatment as compared with non-responders (p = 0.04 for both antigens).

Adult-onset Still's disease. Disease course and HLA associations.

Disease course and HLA antigens were determined in 29 patients with definite and 13 patients with probable adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). Twenty-six patients had persistent disease with continuous disease activity for at least 1 year. Radiographic examination revealed evidence of joint destruction in 26 patients.

HLA associations in aurothioglucose- and D-penicillamine-induced haematotoxic reactions in rheumatoid arthritis.

HLA phenotype frequencies were studied in 21 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with haematotoxic reactions to aurothioglucose (AuTG) or D-penicillamine (DP), 65 matched RA controls and 277 healthy controls. Antigens B8 and DR3 were significantly increased in the toxic RA patient group as compared to both RA controls and healthy controls. These contrasts were strongest in the patients with AuTG-induced thrombocytopenia or leucopenia: all patients developing either reaction to this drug were B8- and/or DR3-positive (p less than 0.

Improved patient and graft survival after treatment of acute rejections of cadaveric renal allografts with rabbit antithymocyte globulin.

In a prospective randomized trial, we compared the effectiveness of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG) in the treatment of acute renal allograft rejection with the results of treatment by high oral doses of prednisone. Fifty recipients of cadaveric kidneys were included in each group. In the RATG group, the prednisone dose was not increased and a dose-by-rosette protocol was used to keep T cell levels between 50 and 150/mm.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and idiopathic haemochromatosis.

The case history of a 34-year-old patient with precirrhotic idiopathic haemochromatosis and severe chronic steatorrhoea is presented. The pancreas had a normal appearance on ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde pancreaticography. However, pancreatic function tests revealed significant abnormalities.

Influence of HLA-DRW6 in the recipient on occurrence of acute rejection of first renal allografts: beneficial influence of antithymocyte globulin as antirejection treatment.

In a retrospective analysis of 232 recipients of first cadaveric kidney grafts the percentage of patients without an acute rejection was significantly higher in DRW6-negative than in DRW6-positive patients. This was not reflected in a better graft survival rate. This discrepancy was probably caused by the kind of antirejection treatment used.

HLA-DRW6 and treatment of acute rejection with antithymocyte globulin.

The influence of DRw6-antigen on graft survival was studied in a single-center study in 223 recipients of a cadaveric kidney. Although graft survival in 148 DRw6-negative recipients was not significantly different from that in 75 DRw6-positive recipients, the percentage of patients without a rejection episode in the first three months after grafting was significantly less in the DRw6-negative recipients (p = 0.03).

The relationship between aurothioglucose- and D-penicillamine-induced proteinuria.

We studied patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have been treated with aurothioglucose (Au) and subsequently with D-penicillamine (DP), and who developed drug-induced proteinuria, over a 10-year period. Twelve patients developed Au-induced and 19 DP-induced proteinuria. Of the 12 patients with Au-induced proteinuria, only 2 (17%) developed DP-induced proteinuria, indicating a slightly increased risk as compared with the overall incidence (9.

HLA-DR antigens and proteinuria induced by aurothioglucose and D-penicillamine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

By means of a case-control study we investigated the association between HLA phenotypes and the development of proteinuria after aurothioglucose or D-penicillamine treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). HLA-DR3 was markedly increased in 44 treatment cases compared with 66 RA controls (46 versus 18%, p = 0.002).

Increase of HLA-"DRw6" in patients with juvenile chronic arthritis.

In 43 patients with pauciarticular and 26 patients with polyarticular juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), an increased frequency was found for HLA-B27 (36%) in male patients with onset of the disease over 9 years of age. The antigen "DRw6" was observed in high frequency (average 57%) in all subtypes of the disease. Indications for increased frequencies were obtained for DR3 in male JCA (40%) and DR5 (42%) in female JCA patients.

Association of HLA antigens, toxic reactions and therapeutic response to auranofin and aurothioglucose in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

To investigate the possible relation between HLA antigens and either favourable clinical response or toxic reaction to two different gold compounds, aurothioglucose and auranofin, a new orally absorbable gold compound, we studied 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis prospectively. Of the 25 aurothioglucose-treated patients, response to treatment could not be evaluated in four patients because of early toxicity. Nine patients showed an excellent response, while 12 were moderate or non-responders.