title: Genetics of rheumatoid arthritis: is there a scientific explanation for the human leukocyte antigen association?
abstract: Human leukocyte antigen genes associated with rheumatoid arthritis are commonly found in the unaffected population, implying that causal mechanisms of disease involve interactions between these genes and other factors. A variety of approaches-genetic, structural, and immunologic-are used to explore possible molecular interactions that may contribute to understanding the basis for this disease association. The specific relation between human leukocyte antigen-DR4 alleles and rheumatoid arthritis remains one of the strongest and most thoroughly studied examples of human leukocyte antigen risk genes among human autoimmune disorders.
authors: Benaroya Research Institute, Virginia Mason Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA. jbuckner@vmresearch.org
authors: Jane H
authors: JH
authors: Buckner
authors: Gerald T
authors: GT
authors: Nepom
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen