Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
9267835 Journal of Autoimmunity 2005 6 Pages PDF
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and potential relevance of the promoter polymorphisms of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Mexicans. HLA-DR and polymorphisms at positions −238 and −308 of TNF-α gene were determined in 137 Mexican RA patients (44 with severe and 93 with non-severe RA) as well as in 169 healthy controls (99 were typed for HLA-DR). We observed an increased frequency of HLA-DR4 in severe RA compared to healthy controls (pC = 0.02, OR = 2.33). TNF polymorphism analysis showed a significant increased frequency of TNF −238 GG genotype in the whole group of RA patients when compared to healthy controls (pC = 0.007, OR = 4.71). When the analyses were carried out separately in severe and non-severe RA patients, the increased frequency of −238 GG genotype only was observed in patients with non-severe forms of the disease. Analysis of −308 polymorphism showed increased frequency of −308 T2 (A) allele in severe RA when compared to non-severe disease (pC = 0.011, OR = 3.29) and to healthy controls (pC = 0.002, OR = 3.97). The data demonstrate that −308 T2 (A) allele is associated with susceptibility to develop severe RA in Mexicans. This association could be independent from HLA-DR alleles and might be used as a prognostic marker for severe RA.
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