Molecular Mechanisms of Spondyloarthropathies

CARLOS LÓPEZ-LARREA is Professor of Immunology (UC M, Madrid, Spain) and currently Head of the Histocompatiblity Unit at the “Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias” (Oviedo, Spain). He is a world expert on spondyloarthropathies (SpA), in particular genetic (MHC) and immunologic factors that influence the development of SpA. His primary research is focused on understanding the role of HLA-B27 polymorphism in the development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and describing relevant associations of B27 subtypes with AS in large extended worldwide populations. In the last decade, the availability of HLA-B27 subtypes differentially associated with the disease has provided a unique tool for exploring the relationship between peptide specificity and pathogenetic potential. The main research interests of his group currently include the role of innate immunity (NKs) in SpA. He is a member of several national and international scientific organizations. It is now over ten years since the first edition of HLA-B27 in the Developement of Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) was published and edited by C. López-Larrea. This current book aims to synthesize the growing knowledge in the field and present all current studies concerning basic research in SpA. ROBERTO DÍAZ -PEÑA is a predoctoral investigator in the Histocompatibility Unit of the Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. He graduated in biochemistry, at the University of Oviedo, Spain. His main research interests include the genetics of spondyloarthropathies, especially ankylosing spondylitis, and the role of inhibitory and activating KIR receptors in this disease.

Clinical Assessment in the Spondyloarthropathies.- Imaging in Spondyloarthritis.- Spondyloarthritis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH) and Chondrocalcinosis.- The Enthesis Organ Concept and Its Relevance to the Spondyloarthropathies.- Synovial and Mucosal Immunopathology in Spondyloarthritis.- Bone Loss in the Spondyloarthropathies: Role of Osteoclast, RANKL, RANK and OPG in the Spondyloarthropathies.- RANKL/RANK as Key Factors for Osteoclast Development and Bone Loss in Arthropathies.- Bone Formation Versus Bone Resorption in Ankylosing Spondylitis.- Biomarkers in Spondyloarthropathies.- Therapy of Spondyloarthritides.- Genomewide Screens in Ankylosing Spondylitis.- Subtypes of HLA-B27: History and Implications in the Pathogenesis of Ankylosing Spondylitis.- Implications of Structural and Thermodynamic Studies of HLA-B27 Subtypes Exhibiting Differential Association with Ankylosing Spondylitis.- HLA-B27-Bound Peptide Repertoires: Their Nature, Origin and Pathogenetic Relevance.- Biochemical Features of HLA-B27 and Antigen Processing.- HLA-B27 Misfolding and Spondyloarthropathies.- HLA-B27 and Host-Pathogen Interaction.- Animal Models of Spondyloarthritis.- T-Cell Responses Against Viral and Self-Epitopes and HLA-B27 Subtypes Differentially Associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis.- Dendritic Cell: T-Cell Interactions in Spondyloarthritis.- The Role of B27 Heavy Chain Dimer Immune Receptor Interactions in Spondyloarthritis.- KIR Genes and Their Role in Spondyloarthropathies.- Innate Immunity of Spondyloarthritis: The Role of Toll-Like Receptors.