Open AccessAssociation of HLA–Dw16 with rheumatoid arthritis in Yakima Indians. Further evidence for the “shared epitope” hypothesis
Author(s) -
Willkens Robert F.,
Nepom Gerald T.,
Marks Cara R.,
Nettles James W.,
Nepom Arbara S.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780340107
Subject(s) - epitope , rheumatoid arthritis , human leukocyte antigen , gene , immunology , medicine , tribe , biology , genetics , antibody , antigen , sociology , anthropology
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is prevalent in Yakima Indians, a Native American tribe. HLA–DR4, the HLA specificity commonly associated with RA in Caucasians, is rare among the Yakima. Using a specific oligonucleotide probe that recognizes DR4 nucleotide sequences associated with RA, a rare HLA–Dw16 gene was identified in 83% of Yakima patients with RA and in 60% of Yakima control subjects. This shared sequence encodes a discrete class II epitope that is highly correlated with RA in both DR4 positive and DR4 negative individuals.