Relation between anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis antibody titers and HLA-DRB1 neutral alleles in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective This study aimed to determine the relation between titres of anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) antibody and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) HLA-DRB1 susceptibility region associated with shared epitope (SE) using the Gregersen's and de Vries's classification methods. Material and Methods In this cross-sectional study, results of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) anti-P. gingivalis antibodies, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), diagnosis for RA, and periodontal disease (PD), and a genetic study of the HLA DRB1 region were obtained from 50 patients with RA and 50 control individuals. Results Anti-P. gingivalis antibody levels and PD parameters were similar in control and RA groups. Anti-P. gingivalis antibodies were not associated with SE or ACPA. There was no association between ACPA and SE. However, de Vries' classification in RA patients revealed an association between the HLA DRB1 neutral alleles and higher titres of anti-P. gingivalis antibodies as follows: IgG1 anti-P. gingivalis >= 1:400 (p = .039); IgG2 anti-P. gingivalis >= 1:400 with neutral/neutral genotype (N/N), being exclusive for RA (p = .008); and IgG2 anti-P. gingivalis >= 1:200 and N/N (p = .016). Conclusions Although no association was found between SE and anti-P. gingivalis antibodies; according to the de Vries' classification, there was an existing association between HLA DRB1 neutral alleles, with high titres of IgG anti-P.gingivalis antibodies for RA, focussing on novel associations between P.gingivalis and RA.

Automated summary

The study found no association between anti-P. gingivalis antibodies and SE, but revealed an association between HLA DRB1 neutral alleles and high titres of IgG anti-P. gingivalis antibodies in RA patients, according to de Vries's classification. This suggests novel associations between P. gingivalis and RA.