[A gene defect in the promoter of the endothelial NO synthase as a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis].
The risk to develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) includes environmental as well as genetic factors. Moreover, RA, being an inflammatory disease, is itself considered to be a risk factor for coronary artery disease, as it - or its treatment - may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Likewise, a single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter of the endothelial NO synthase ((-786)C/T) leads to endothelial dysfunction in (-786)CC homozygous individuals. This genetic defect occurs in significantly higher frequencies in patients with RA, and therefore must be regarded as a genetic risk factor for RA.
Melchers
I
I
Klinische Forschergruppe für Rheumatologie, Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106 Freiburg. inga.melchers@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Cattaruzza
M
M
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000201:enzymology / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D015995:Prevalence; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III