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HLA-DPB1*0301 is a major risk factor for rheumatoid factor-negative adult rheumatoid arthritis
X Gao1, M Fernandez-Viña, N J Olsen
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-8886.
Insights
The HLA-DPB1*0301 allele is significantly more common in adults with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This finding, alongside previous research in children, suggests a genetic link for this specific rheumatoid arthritis subtype.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Rheumatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting joints.
- Seronegative RA lacks specific autoantibodies, making diagnosis and understanding of its etiology challenging.
- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes are known to influence autoimmune disease susceptibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association of specific HLA-DPB1 alleles with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis in an adult Caucasoid population.
- To compare allele frequencies between patients with seronegative RA and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of HLA-DPB1 alleles was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) probes.
- Caucasoid patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy Caucasoid individuals were recruited for the study.
Main Results:
- The HLA-DPB1*0301 allele was found at a significantly higher frequency in seronegative RA patients (50.0%) compared to healthy controls (10.8%).
- This increased frequency corresponds to a relative risk of 8.3 (P < 0.0001), indicating a strong association.
Conclusions:
- The HLA-DPB1*0301 allele is strongly associated with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
- This finding, combined with prior evidence in pediatric polyarticular arthritis, supports a potential genetic predisposition for seronegative inflammatory arthritis subtypes.
Abstract:
HLA-DPB1 alleles were determined using the polymerase chain reaction and allele-specific oligonucleotide probes in Caucasoid patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in healthy controls. DPB1*0301 was found to be increased in seronegative patients (50.0% versus 10.8% in controls; relative risk = 8.3, P less than 0.0001). With our previous finding that DPB1*0301 is increased in seronegative children with polyarticular-onset arthritis, the results suggest a relationship between this disease and seronegative RA in adults.