Authors:
K. Tarassi (Athens, GR)
E. Mole (Athens, GR)
V. Kitsiou (Athens, GR)
D. Kouniaki (Athens, GR)
T. Athanassiades (Athens, GR)
K. Soufleros (Athens, GR)
E. Synodinou (Athens, GR)
C. Sfontouris (Athens, GR)
A. Tsirogianni (Athens, GR)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a complex, multifactorial autoimmune disease, whose etiopathogenesis involves genetic and environmental factors. The aim of the study was the assessment of association of HLA-DRB1*-SE in the presence/absence of CCP autoimmunity in Greek patients with RA (smokers and non-smokers). Eighty-three (83) RA patients (41 smokers, 42 have never smoked) were typed for HLA-DRB1 by molecular techniques (PCR-SSOP and SSP). In 62 out of 83 (74.7%) anti-CCP abs were detected by ELISA. In RA patients in comparison to the controls, increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*01:01 (28.9% vs 6.8%, OR=4.4), *10:01 (16.9% vs 2.4%, OR=8.4), *04:01 (3.6% vs 2%, OR=1.8), *04:04 (7.2% vs 1%, OR=7.6) and *04:05 (15.7% vs 3.7%, OR=4.8), as well as decreased frequency of DRB1*04:02 (1.2% vs 2%, OR=0.6) and *04:03 (4.8% vs 6.8%, OR=0.7) was found. Among RA patients, 77.1 % possessed 1SE vs 18.9% of controls (OR=14.4), whereas 10.8 % possessed 2SE vs 1% of controls (OR=11.8). In CCP(+) RA patients in comparison to CCP(-), an increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*01:01 (27.4% vs 14.3%, OR=2.3) and *10:01 (21% vs 4.8%, OR=5.3) was observed. Furthermore, 88.7% of CCP(+) carried 1SE vs 42.9% of CCP(-) patients (OR=10.5). CCP(+) smokers patients and in comparison to CCP(+) non-smokers were presented with an increased frequency of DRB1*01:01 (41.9% vs 12.9%, OR=4.9). Among the CCP(+) smokers, 96.8% possess 1SE vs 80.6% of CCP(+) non-smokers (OR=7.2), whereas 12.9% possess 2SE vs 12.9% of CCP(+) non-smokers (OR=1). In conclusion: a) an increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*01:01, *10:01, *04:05 alleles, as well as the protective role of *04:02, *04:03 alleles, in Greek patients with RA was confirmed, b) the presence of any SE, particularly *10:01 allele, strongly influences the production of anti-CCP abs and c) interaction between smoking and any SE, particularly DRB1*01:01, is associated with anti-CCP positive RA in Greek patients.