RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF GENETIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL FACTORS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Hasnayan Sabir

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2019

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF GENETIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL FACTORS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Hasnayan Sabir

Abstract :

RA is one of the most common autoimmune disorders whose exact ethology is not known. It attacks joint synovium and many other tissues of the body like small vessels, lung parenchyma, muscles, soft tissues, blood cells etc. Pannus is a pathological hallmark of RA. Several SE–positive (SE+) DRB1 alleles have since been reported to be associated with RA. MHC genes with a confirmed role in development of RA include HLA–DRB1 genes, which are thought to be involved in antigen presentation to T lymphocytes. Cigarette smoking has been found to be a specific environmental risk factor for ACPA–positive RA. Conversely, a recent meta–analysis showed that alcohol intake was inversely correlated with the development of ACPA positive RA.