Both JSpA and AS are believed to be complex genetic diseases, or disorders caused by specific combinations of genetic variants in multiple genes rather than a single gene. However, HLA-B27 is present in close to 90% of patients with AS compared to just 6-7% of the healthy North American population. In addition to HLA-B27, over 40 other genetic locations, such as genetic variants of the interleukin-23 (IL-23) receptor, are believed to contribute to disease susceptibility. Yet, these genes, in addition to HLA-B27, only account for around 25-30% of disease heritability.
HLA-B27 encodes a protein that has the tendency to misfold and accumulate within cells, which can lead to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-23 and interferon-β. Our lab has previously shown the inflammatory consequences of HLA-B27 misfolding and accumulation within a transgenic rat model of AS, which develops intestinal inflammation and arthritis. Like other forms of inflammatory arthritis, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are the current standard of care for axial arthritis. While this family of therapeutics undoubtedly decreases inflammation, they may not work in every patient and their effect on the long-term development of abnormal bone formation in AS is currently unknown. This has prompted intense investigation of additional therapeutic targets, such as those of the IL-23 inflammatory pathway, which has not only been implicated in genetic studies, but has also been found to be activated and expanded in AS patients.