Primary association of a MICA allele with protection against rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) independently of the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope (SE).

METHODS:

Fifty-four Spanish families with an affected son or daughter and 211 consecutive RA patients were genotyped for HLA-DRB1, tumor necrosis factor a/b microsatellite alleles, and MICA transmembrane polymorphism. We performed a case-control comparison with the consecutive patients and an independent transmission disequilibrium test with the families.

RESULTS:

The frequency of the MICA 6.0 allele was significantly reduced, compared with controls, in the group of SE+ patients (odds ratio 0.39, P = 0.0005). Additionally, the haplotypes containing this allele were preferentially not transmitted to the affected offspring (9 transmitted of 33; P = 0.007), independent of the presence or absence of an SE either in the same haplotype or in the other haplotype in the progenitor.

CONCLUSION:

These data suggest that the MICA 6.0 allele is an independent marker of protection against RA in the SE+ group of RA patients.

• Authors: A Martinez, M Fernandez-Arquero, A Balsa, A Rubio, H Alves, D Pascual-Salcedo, E Martin-Mola, E G de la Concha
• Journal: Arthritis and rheumatism (Arthritis Rheum) Vol. 44 Issue 6 Pg. 1261-5 (Jun 2001) ISSN: 0004-3591 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11407684 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Genetic Markers
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
• MHC class I-related chain A
• DNA

Topics

• Adult
• Alleles
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (prevention & control)
• DNA (analysis)
• Female
• Gene Frequency
• Genetic Markers
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Haplotypes (genetics)
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I (genetics)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Polymorphism, Genetic