Revisiting the Arthritogenic Peptide Theory: Quantitative Not Qualitative Changes in the Peptide Repertoire of HLA–B27 Allotypes

Abstract

Absolute binding preferences of HLA-B27 allotypes do not explain disease association. The arthritogenic peptide theory needs to be reassessed in terms of quantitative changes in self-peptide presentation, T cell selection, and altered conformation of bound peptides.