Analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms in rheumatic diseases

Considerable evidence indicates that genes residing within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) influence susceptibility to certain rheumatic diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it has not yet been possible to precisely identify the gene(s) responsible for conferring enhanced susceptibility to these diseases. The availability of recombinant DNA technology should accelerate progress in obtaining this goal. A particularly promising method in this regard is restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using appropriate class I and class II MHC gene probes. In preliminary studies, RFLPs have been identified for AS and RA which associate with susceptibility to the disease. Further studies using this approach should permit localization and precise identification of the disease susceptibility gene(s) for these diseases.