Which autoimmune condition is associated with the HLA-B27 antigen?

The association of the HLA-B27 antigen with ankylosing spondylitis is well-documented in medical literature. HLA-B27 is a human leukocyte antigen that is part of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. It is found in a higher frequency in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis compared to the general population.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the axial skeleton, leading to pain and stiffness in the back and spine. The presence of HLA-B27 is not only a genetic marker for increased susceptibility to this disease but also plays a role in the pathogenesis by influencing immune responses. It is thought to be involved in the dysregulation of immune responses to certain microbes that trigger inflammatory processes in genetically predisposed individuals.

While the other conditions listed do have their own associations with certain HLA antigens, they are not significantly linked to HLA-B27 in the same way as ankylosing spondylitis. For example, psoriasis is associated with HLA-Cw6, multiple sclerosis has associations with HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR15, and rheumatoid arthritis is commonly associated with HLA-DR4 and