Using the maternal-fetal genotype incompatibility test to assess non-inherited maternal HLA-DRB1 antigen coding alleles as rheumatoid arthritis risk factors.
Non-inherited maternal antigens encoded by specific HLA-DRB1 alleles (NIMA) have been implicated as a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk factor. Using genotype data from North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium study participants and the maternal-fetal genotype incompatibility (MFG) test, we find evidence for offspring allelic effects but no evidence for NIMA as a RA risk factor. We discuss possible reasons why our result conflicts with several previous studies (including one of our own) that used RA patients from northern Europe.
Hsieh
Hsin-Ju
HJ
Genentech, Inc, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, USA. hjhsieh@gene.com
Palmer
Christina G S
CG
Harney
Sinead
S
Chen
Hsiu-Wen
HW
Bauman
Lara
L
Brown
Matthew A
MA
Sinsheimer
Janet S
JS