HLA-DRB1*04 subtypes are associated with increased inflammatory activity in early rheumatoid arthritis.
The sequence polymorphism of HLA-DRB1 molecules in 84 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with early RA has been analysed to evaluate whether particular HLA-DR alleles influence disease progression in the early stage of the disease. Clinical data were analysed by grouping the patients according to disease-associated haplotype combinations (DRB1*04,04/DRB1*04,01/DRB1*04,X/DRB1*01,X) in comparison to patients who did not carry these haplotypes (DRB1*X,X). Our results indicate that patients with early RA who are homozygous for DRB1*04 exhibit an elevated inflammatory activity and an increase of joint affections. In addition, the amino acid polymorphism (QR/KRAA) at position 70-74 seems to affect the production of rheumatoid factors. These results support the role of HLA-DRB1 alleles in the pathogenesis of RA and indicate that patients with particular HLA-DRB1*04 haplotype combinations may require intensified therapeutic interventions in the early stage of the disease to prevent disease progression.
Seidl
C
C
Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Red Cross Blood Donor Service Hessen, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Koch
U
U
Buhleier
T
T
Frank
R
R
Möller
B
B
Markert
E
E
Koller-Wagner
G
G
Seifried
E
E
Kaltwasser
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor