[Genetic risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common autoimmune diseases, is a systemic, chronic inflammatory disease, which is primarily involves the joints affecting up to 1% of the population. RA is believed to be a complex, multifarious disease that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Disease susceptibility has been estimated to have a genetic component of 60% by data from twin studies. To date, more than 100 RA susceptibility loci, including HLA-DRB1, have been identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and GWAS meta-analyses. Through a big data approach using large amounts of comprehensive biologic data included GWAS, we identified important information, such as susceptible genes, pathways and cell types that contribute to RA pathogenesis.