Inununogenetic aspects of early rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The study is aimed to investigate the distribution of alleles of HL4-DRBJ gene in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and healthy individuals in Russian popu!ation, and evaluate their sign (flcance as molecular genetic markers of rheumatoid arthritis predisposition and protection. The association between alleles of HLA-DRBJ genes, antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides and 1gM rheumatoid factor was also studied. Low and high resolution HL4-DRB1 genotyping were compared. In the cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, the alleles of HL4-DRBI gene were found to be markers of rheumatoid arthritis protection/risk, especially in the homozygous state. They determined production of anti bodies to cyclic citrullinatedpeptides but were not associated with rheumatoid factor 1gM levels. These findings support dfferent autoimmune mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis.