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HLA-DRB1 alleles genotyping in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese
1National Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, CAMS, Beijing.
Insights
The HLA-DR4 gene and its subtype DRB1*0405 are associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development in the Chinese population. HLA-DR4 may serve as a prognostic indicator for RA patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation.
- The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system plays a crucial role in immune regulation and has been linked to various autoimmune diseases.
- Specific HLA-DRB1 alleles are known risk factors for RA development in different ethnic groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between HLA-DRB1 genes and the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To examine the correlation between specific HLA-DR alleles and the clinical and serological manifestations in RA patients.
Main Methods:
- Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR typing was performed on 86 RA patients and 106 controls using DNA amplification with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP).
- HLA-DR4 subtypes were further characterized using hybridization of PCR products with sequence-specific oligonucleotides (PCR-SSO).
- Clinical and serological data were correlated with the presence or absence of HLA-DR4 and its subtypes.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher gene frequency of HLA-DR4 was observed in RA patients (48.8%) compared to controls (17.9%) (P < 0.001).
- The HLA-DR4 subtype DRB1*0405 was more prevalent in RA patients (61.9%) than in controls (21.1%) (P < 0.01).
- RA patients positive for HLA-DR4 showed more severe wrist X-ray stages compared to HLA-DR4 negative patients (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- The HLA-DR4 gene, particularly the DRB1*0405 subtype, is associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis in the Chinese population.
- HLA-DR4 positivity may serve as a valuable prognostic marker for disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Objective:
To explore the role of HLA-DRB1 genes in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the correlations between HLA-DR alleles and clinical manifestations of patients with RA.
Methods:
86 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 106 race matched controls were studied in whom HLA-DR typing was performed by the method of DNA amplification with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). The subtypes of HLA-DR4 were determined by the method of hybridization of PCR products with sequence-specific oligonucleotides (PCR-SSO). The absence or presence of HLA-DR4 and its subtypes was correlated with the clinical and serological characteristics of the patients.
Results:
Compared with controls, an increased gene frequency of HLA-DR4 (48.8% vs 17.9%, P < 0.001) and a decreased frequency of HLA-DR7 (16.3% vs 27.4%, P = 0.06) were found. The DRB1* 0405 account for 61.9% of DR4+RA patients and 21.1% of DR4+ controls (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the DR4+ and DR4- patients with respect to age, sex, duration of disease, rheumatoid factor (RF), extra-articular manifestations including secondary Sjogren's syndrome. According to the wrist X-ray stage, the patients of DR4+ were more severe than that of DR4- (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
HLA-DR4 and DR4 subtype of DRB1*0405 are related to the development of RA in Chinese. HLA-DR4 can be a useful prognostic marker in the patients with RA.