Specific B-cell antigens associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy and dermatitis herpetiformis.

Gluten-sensitive enteropathy (G.S.E.) and dermatitis herpetiformis (D.H.) are associated with an increased frequency of the histocompatability antigen HLA-B8. These diseases were found to be even more strongly associated with a specific B-lymphocyte surface antigen recognised by maternal antisera. Two antisera (B-1 and W-1) reacted with B lymphocytes form G.S.E. and D.H. patients. Antiserum B-1 reacted with cells from thirteen of sixteen G.S.E. patients and from fifteen of nineteen D.H. patients, while antiserum W-1 reacted with cells from fifteen of sixteen G.S.E. patients and from fifteen of fifteen D.H. patients. None of the sera tested reacted with B lymphocytes from thirty-seven normal individuals, whether or not they were HL8-B8 positive. The identification of this specific antigen provides further insight into the pathogenesis of G.S.E. and D.H. and might form the basic of a diagnostic test for these diseases.