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Ann Rheum Dis 1999;58:435-440 doi:10.1136/ard.58.7.435
  • Extended reports

Ankylosing spondylitis in monozygotic twins: studies on immunological parameters

  1. Thomas Höhlera,
  2. Rosula Huga,
  3. Peter M Schneiderb,
  4. Frank Krummenauerc,
  5. Christel Gripenberg-Lerched,
  6. Kaisa Granforsd,
  7. Elisabeth Märker-Hermanna
  1. aMedical Department of Internal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany, bInstitute of Legal Medicine, Mainz, Germany, cInstitute of Medical Statistics and Documentation, Mainz, Germany, dNational Public Health Institute, Department in Turku, Turku, Finland
  1. Dr T Höhler, I Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Langenbeckstr 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany.
  • Accepted 9 March 1999

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To examine immunological parameters that might explain disease discordance in monozygotic twin pairs with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS 11 monozygotic twin pairs (nine with AS, two with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy) were investigated. The peripheral T cell receptor Vβ repertoire was investigated using FACS analysis and 14 different Vβ antibodies. In addition serum samples were tested for antibodies to Klebsiella pneumoniae,Streptococcus pyogenes,Candida albicans,Proteus mirabilis, andEscherichia coli. Peripheral blood lymphocyte reactivity against a number of bacteria was investigated by interferon γ ELISPOT assays.

RESULTS Twins suffering from AS showed cellular hyporeactivity againstK pneumoniae, S pyogenes, C albicans in the ELISPOT assays compared with healthy twins. In contrast with the antibody data, where no significant differences were observed between the two groups, AS concordant twins showed the most pronounced differences in their Vβ repertoire on CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONS Cellular hyporeactivity of peripheral blood cells to bacterial antigens might reflect defective T cell responses allowing bacterial antigens to persist in diseased patients. There are probably other environmental factors that influence disease concordance.

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