H-2 influence on ankylosing enthesopathy of the ankle (ANKENT).

Joint disease, ankylosing enthesopathy (ANKENT) of the ankle, occurs naturally in mice. ANKENT depends on the genetical constitution, sex, and age, and its frequency varies among inbred strains of normal mice. We found the highest frequency of ANKENT in B10.BR (H-2k) males. The H-2k haplotype appears to be a relative risk factor, which increases the susceptibility to ANKENT. The aetiology of ANKENT is unknown but an involvement of microbial agents in the environment is supposed.