Short peptide sequence identity between human viruses and HLA-B27-binding human 'self' peptides.

Molecular mimicry and arthritogenic peptides form the basis of hypotheses that attempt to explain the pathogenesis of HLA-B27-positive ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We propose, therefore, that certain human viruses may possess peptide sequences that mimic HLA-B27-binding human 'self' peptides which might induce or play a significant role in AS. In the present study, we performed bioinformatic analysis, using BLASTP, of the human virus proteome and HLA-B27-binding human 'self' peptides including peptides derived from arthritogenic sequences. We identified that some HLA-B27-binding peptides, particularly those present in proteins of the cartilage and bone, are highly similar to those present in viruses known to cause chronic infection. We suggest that the identical short amino acid sequences shared between human viruses and HLA-B27 peptides may play a role in the pathogenesis of AS.