Complex genetic predisposition in adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients (RA) is probably not a single pathogenetic entity leading to a chronic autoimmune disease resulting in the destruction of joints. The subforms cannot yet be distinguished clinically. The worldwide prevalence of RA is about 1% and the precise etiology is still unknown [1]. Multifactorial origins are supposed for RA meaning that environmental factors as well as the contributions of several to many genes appear to play a role in the development of the disease. The genetic component is emphasized by a 3–4 fold higher concordance rate in monozygotic compared to dizygotic twins [2]. The manifestation of RA is known to be associated with certain HLA-DRB1 alleles [3]. The DRB1*04 association has been confirmed for many populations [1]. The associated alleles encode five amino acids at positions 70–74 of the HLA-DRB1 chain. This so-called shared epitope (SE) comprises of the amino acid sequences QKRAA, QRRAA and RRRAA [4]. The functional basis of the SE association has still to be clarified.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) designates a group of diseases that have in common chronic idiopathic inflammation of one or more joints. According to the clinical spectrum JRA can be divided into at least three subtypes including pauciarticular, polyarticular and systemic onset with extraarticular manifestations as vasculitis, scleritis etc. [5]. The pauciarticular type is characterized by the involvement of one to four joints (monoarticular, oligoarticular), the polyarticular type involves five or more joints. The presence of autoantibodies and T cell clonality primarily seen in the joints points to autoimmune pathogenesis [6]. The prevalence of JRA varies worldwide among different ethnic and geographically distinct populations [7]. HLA-DRB1*01 and *04 alleles have been repeatedly reported to increase the risk for polyarticular JRA in many populations. HLA-DRB1*04 is highly associated with IgM rheumatoid factor-positive polyarticular JRA in older children [8]. DRB1*01 is associated with pauciarticular disease onset in younger patients, changing to a polyarticular course later [9]. Further associated HLA associated alleles are DRB1*08 and *11 [10].

Since both diseases, RA and JRA, share an autoimmune background as well as other pathogenetic features, the same candidate genes can be considered primarily. These susceptibility genes include an immense number of genes encoding cytokines, their receptors and other immunorelevant genes playing possibly significant roles in the pathogenesis of RA and JRA. A most enigmatic chromosomal region for susceptibility to autoimmune disorders is the HLA region on 6p21. This region harbors also the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) locus, for which several associations with autoimmune diseases have been described [11,12]. In addition, the presence of increased levels of TNF in serum and synovial fluid of RA patients promoting tissue damage and joint destruction necessitate that this genomic region is investigated. Therefore, several polymorphisms in the promotor of the TNFA gene on 6p21 as well as in the TNF receptor genes TNFR1 and TNFR2 were included. The inhibitor of kappa light chain gene enhancer in B cells-like gene (IKBL) is also located in the HLA region and therefore can be considered as a potent candidate gene for RA/JRA [13].

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) is expressed on activated T cells and thus it is critically involved in the immune response [14,15]. Previous studies on multifactorial disorders like RA, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis (MS) and some other autoimmune diseases investigated in different populations suggested associations with CTLA4 polymorphisms [16-21].

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type C (PTPRC, also known as CD45) is expressed on leukocytes and hematopoietic progenitors [22]. This receptor is involved in T and B cell activation and in signal transduction by regulating protein-tyrosine kinases. The protein is found in multiple isoforms, depending on alternative splicing of exons 4 (CD45RA), 5 (CD45RB) and 6 (CD45RC) (CD45RO, exon 4–6 spliced out).

Expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) correlates well with delayed hypersensitivity and cellular immunity in humans. MIF activity can be detected in the synovia of RA patients. The suggested role for MIF includes mediator function in regulating macrophage action in host defense [23,24].

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) is produced by T lymphocytes in response to antigens to which they are sensitized. It displays antiviral activities [25]. In the first intron of the IFNG gene a polymorphic (CA)_n microsatellite is located [26]. Microsatellite allele 02 is associated with high levels of IFNγ production in vitro, which may be due to its association with a linked SNP within a putative NFκB (nuclear factor kappa B) binding site [27]. Susceptibility to and severity of RA are associated to different alleles of this microsatellite [28-31].

IKBL, CTLA4, PTPRC, MIF and IFNG only are selected examples for potent candidate genes for RA association. They all are involved in immunological processes and are different parts of signalling cascades. Another approach to elucidate the genetic background of complex diseases is to draw parallels from animal models providing important information concerning which candidate genes or regions should be studied in humans. This strategy was successful in the investigation of several human autoimmune diseases like MS or type 1 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [32,33]. A novel RA susceptibility locus on 17q22 homologous to one linked to two rat models of RA was found by linkage and association mapping [34].

To reveal genetic predisposition factors of the complex diseases RA and JRA, in this study many polymorphisms in candidate genes have been genotyped in cohorts of about 200 patients. Since many of the already reported associations have not been replicated in all independent data sets, we compared the allele frequencies in our RA and JRA cohorts with those of controls in order to contribute to define general associations.

Results

The results of the HLA-DRB1 typing are shown in figure 1. The DNA of 367 healthy controls, 190 RA patients and 130 JRA patients has been analysed. The described association of the DRB1*04 allele with RA is confirmed in our cohort (p_c < 0.001) [35]. In the group of JRA patients the DRB1* alleles 08 and 11 are highly represented, but the differences are not statistically significant.

Figure 1

HLA-DRB1 allele frequencies in healthy controls (CON) vs. adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients (JRA).

Figure 2 shows the distribution of alleles of the TNFa microsatellite. Allele 06 is overrepresented in the group of JRA patients (17.1% vs. 11.0% in the control group, p_c < 0.02).

Figure 2

Allele frequencies of the TNFa microsatellite in healthy controls (CON) vs. adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients (JRA).

In the HLA/TNFA region on chromosome 6p21 we determined allele frequencies of 3 TNFA promotor polymorphisms as well as of polymorphisms in the TNFα receptor genes TNFR1 and TNFR2. Additionally, 3 polymorphisms in the IKBL gene located also in 6p21 were investigated. In the TNFA promotor we analysed the -238a/g, -308a/g and the -857c/t polymorphisms (table 2). No differences of allele frequencies were found in both groups of patients compared to the controls. We analysed the promotor polymorphism -609g/t and a nucleotide exchange a/g at position 36 of the coding sequence of the TNFR1 gene. The base exchange does not result in an amino acid substitution (P12P). Both polymorphisms are not associated with RA or JRA (table 2). The allele frequency of a 15 bp deletion in the promotor of the TNFR2 gene has been determined for 428 healthy controls, 190 RA patients and 146 JRA patients. The frequency of the deletion (allele 02) is higher in both groups of patients (RA = 32.9%, JRA = 33.3%, controls = 27.5%; p < 0.05). Statistical significance, however, is lost after Bonferroni correction of the p value (table 2, figure 3). In the IKBL gene we analysed the polymorphisms -332a/g and -132t/a in the promotor and an amino acid exchange C224R in exon 4. The allele frequencies are shown in table 2. The amino acid substitution is probably of functional relevance, since cysteine is a highly reactive and structurally relevant amino acid.

Figure 3

Allele frequencies of the TNFRII 15 bp deletion in the promotor in healthy controls (CON) vs. adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients (JRA).

Since the CTLA4 gene is known to play a crucial role in immunological reactions, we analysed the -318c/t polymorphism as well as the T17A exchange in 182 unrelated RA and 138 JRA patients and 362 healthy controls. The allele and genotype frequencies of the T17A exchange are very similar in the patient and in the control groups. A significant association, however, was observed for the promotor polymorphism, especially for the group of JRA patients (p_c < 0.001, table 2).

PTPRC and MIF present two other candidate genes for diseases with an immunological background. The c77g (P57P) polymorphism of the PTPRC (CD45) gene is not associated with RA or JRA in our cohorts (table 2). DNA of 347 healthy controls, 195 RA patients and 161 JRA patients has been investigated. In the promotor of the MIF gene we analysed an already known SNP (-173g/c) for 390 healthy controls, 283 RA patients and 212 JRA patients. Allele 02 is underrepresented in the group of RA patients (16.3% vs. 21.0% in the control group, p_c < 0.05) (table 2). Furthermore a (CATT)_n tetranucleotide block starting at position -794 was analysed. The (CATT)₅ allele appears significantly more frequently in the JRA group (16.5% vs. 11.0% in the control group, p_c < 0.02) (figure 4). The (CATT)₇ allele is slightly overrepresented in the RA group, statistical significance, however, is lost after Bonferroni correction of the p value (figure 4). Evaluation of the genotypes yielded an overrepresentation of 0507 in the JRA group (9.4% vs. 4.0% in the control group, p_c < 0.06) (figure 4).

Figure 4

a,b: Allele and genotype frequencies of the MIF microsatellite in healthy controls (CON) vs. adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients (JRA).

Furthermore, we genotyped 4 microsatellites, one in intron 1 of the IFNG gene and 3 in a region on chromosome 17 for which an association with RA has been shown in a rat model as well as in a study with human DNA. The allele frequencies of the microsatellite in intron 1 of the IFNG gene as well of the three chromosome 17 markers (D17S807, D17S1821, D17S795) do not differ between the patients and the controls (Figures 5, 6).

Figure 5

Allele frequencies of the IFNG microsatellite in healthy controls (CON) vs. adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients (JRA).

Figure 6

a-c: Allele frequencies of the D17S795, D17S807 and D17S1821 microsatellites in healthy controls (CON) vs. adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients (JRA).

Discussion

RA and JRA are two distinct disease entities sharing some clinical and pathogenetic factors as well as a genetic background. Both are complex disorders caused by still unknown environmental influences and by probably manifold variations in an unknown number of predisposing genes. To evaluate genetic susceptibility loci several immunorelevant polymorphisms have been genotyped for both cohorts (RA and JRA) and compared to healthy controls.

The manifestation of RA and JRA is associated with certain HLA-DRB1 alleles [3]. The association of RA with the DRB1*04 allele was first defined by Stastny et al. [36] Subsequently, this association has been observed in a majority of populations belonging to different ethnic groups [1]. The HLA-DRB1 typing of our RA cohort confirmed this association. Thus our cohort of RA patients comprises a representative random sample.

The association of HLA-DRB1*01 and *04 alleles described in the literature is not obvious in the JRA cohort presented here [8,9]. Possible explanations include that the representation of different subclasses in this heterogenous group of patients is not similar to previous collections because of the limited number of participating patients. The HLA-DRB1*08 and *11 alleles, however, appear more frequently in the JRA group than in the control group corresponding to literature data [10]. Since the HLA region on 6p21 is highly interesting concerning autoimmune diseases and because of the presence of increased levels of TNFα in serum and synovial fluid of RA patients promoting tissue damage and joint destruction, several polymorphisms in the promotor of the TNFA gene on 6p21 as well as in the TNF receptor genes TNFR1 and TNFR2 were investigated. The TNFA locus is located within the HLA class III region. Five microsatellite markers (a-e) have been described [37]. TNFa was analyzed in this study. The allele frequencies are similar to those of other studies [38]. TNFa2 is the most frequent allele in both groups of patients (RA and JRA) as well as in the control group, but a significant difference of the frequency between patients and controls has not been observed. TNFa2 was found to be associated with high TNFα production [39]. Zake et al. found evidence for a positive association of this allele with JRA [5]. The contradictory data may result from the different origins of the patients. TNFa6 is significantly overrepresented in the JRA group of this study. A strong association of TNFa6 with RA in DRB1*04-negative haplotypes was also shown by Tuokko et al. [40] The mechanisms behind the TNFa6 association with RA has not been clarified yet, but in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus the TNFa6 allele has been reported to be associated with decreased TNFα secretion, wheras the TNFa2 allele was associated with high TNFα secretion capacity [39]. The coherency of RA-associated TNFa6 and low TNFα secretion is not in accordance with the known involvement of this cytokine in tissue destruction in RA, but the complex pathogenic mechanisms are not understood in detail until now.

In the TNFA promotor are described at least 11 polymorphisms and numerous studies have been undertaken to determine whether these polymorphisms have any functional significance [11,12,41]. The results of these studies, however, have been conflicting. Some authors conclude that TNFA genotypes influence immunologic diseases while others suggest that TNFA promotor polymorphisms exert no functional effects but exist only because they are in linkage disequilibrium with HLA alleles [42,43]. In this study, three promotor polymorphisms of TNFA have been chosen to analyse, -857c/t, -308a/g and -238a/g. No association was found for any of those polymorphisms with RA or JRA. The obtained allele frequencies are comparable with the results of other studies on Caucasians [43-45]. In contrast, Seki et al. found that the frequency of the -857t allele in RA patients is significantly higher than in the controls [46]. However, the DRB1*0405 allele, which is in linkage disequilibrium with the -857t allele, is more strongly associated with disease susceptibility than the -857t allele. Thus the authors concluded that a susceptibility gene to RA is more closely linked to the HLA-DRB1 locus than to the TNFA locus.

Since TNFα acts via binding to cell surface receptors I and II, their genes are interesting candidates for RA. Furthermore animal models have shown that mice deficient in TNFR have a more severe early inflammatory response [47]. The gene of the TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) is localized on chromosome 12p13 and consists of 10 exons [48]. Each of the four protein repeats comprising the extracellular ligand binding domain and characterizing a receptor superfamily is interrupted by an intron [48]. The promotor polymorphism -609g/t and a nucleotide exchange a/g at position 36 of the coding sequence of the TNFR1 gene were analysed in this study [48,49]. The base exchange does not result in an amino acid substitution (P12P). Both polymorphisms are not associated with RA or JRA. This result confirms the findings of Barton et al. [50].

The gene of the TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) is localized on chromosome 1p36.2. The 10 exons span 26 kb [51]. In the 5' untranslated region a 15 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism is located between positions -363 to -349 [49]. In this polymorphic region there is similarity to a putative transcription factor binding site. A regulatous function could not be ascribed to this section [52]. Thus the deletion is probably not of functional relevance. The allele frequencies of the deletion are higher in both groups of patients, but statistical significance is lost after Bonferroni correction. Barton et al. [50] and Dieude et al. [53] presented evidence that TNFR2 plays a major role in a subset of families with multiple cases of RA [50,53]. A polymorphism in exon 6 of the TNFR2 gene has been analysed [50,53]. The cohorts in this study did not encompass a sufficient number of patients with family history to warrant investigation of this specific exonic marker.

Near the TNF cluster at the telomeric end of the MHC on chromosome 6p21.3 the IKBL gene is located coding for a 381 amino acid protein and spanning 13.5 kb of genomic DNA [13]. The protein contains ankyrin motifs similar to those of the I-kappa-B (IκB) family of proteins. Since IKBL shares homology with other members ot the IκB family, it may interact with NFκB and regulate acute phase proteins such as TNFα [54]. Thus IKBL is not only an interesting candidate gene for RA susceptibility because of the position on 6p21.3. In this study two promotor polymorphisms as well as a non-synonymous substitution (C224R) have been analysed [55]. The amino acid exchange lies in a predicted phosphorylation site and it possibly alters the function of the IκBL protein. None of the three polymorphisms is associated with RA or JRA in our cohorts. Further analysis of patients with other autoimmune diseases may elucidate the functional meaning especially of the amino acid substitution.

CTLA4 is expressed on activated T cells binding to the ligands, B7-1 and B7-2 and it is predicted to down-regulate T cell function [56,57]. These observations suggest that the CTLA4 / B7 interaction plays a critical role in regulating self-tolerance and in susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. The CTLA4 gene comprises 3 exons in addition to the leader sequence and maps to chromosome 2q33 [58]. Three polymorphisms have been described in the CTLA4 gene: a microsatellite (AT)_n at position 642 of the 3'untranslated region of exon 4 and two SNPs, in exon 1 a a49g base exchange leading to an amino acid substitution T17A in the leader sequence and a c/t transition at position -318 of the promoter sequence [59-61]. Studies on RA as well as on insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and some other autoimmune diseases suggest an association with these CTLA4 polymorphisms [16-21]. In this study we analysed the -318c/t polymorphism and the a49g exchange. A remarkable difference of the allele frequency of the promotor polymorphism was found in the group of RA patients and even more clearly in the group of JRA patients. The distribution of alleles of the more interesting amino acid exchange, however, does not show differences between patients and controls. Further investigations are needed to clarify the importance of CTLA4 as a susceptibility gene for RA and/or JRA.

Furthermore, the PTPRC gene has been investigated here [22]. PTPRC is localized on chromosome 1q31-q32 and consists of 35 exons. The gene encodes a 180–220 kDa glycoprotein expressed on leukocytes and hematopoietic progenitors [22]. This receptor is involved in T and B cell activation and in signal transduction by regulating protein-tyrosine kinases. Because of this involvement in immunological processes, the gene is another important candidate for RA predisposition. The protein exists in multiple isoforms, depending on alternative splicing of exons 4 (CD45RA), 5 (CD45RB) and 6 (CD45RC) (in CD45RO exons 4–6 are spliced out). The already known c77g (P57P) transition in exon 4 was analysed in our cohorts. This polymorphism does not change the amino acid sequence, but it is probably part of a motif necessary for splicing of CD45RA. The expression of CD45RA is increased in 77c/g heterozygous individuals [62]. The frequency of 77c/g heterozygotes is slightly increased in both groups of RA patients compared to the controls, but the result is not statistically significant. Maybe this gene is more important for predisposition to other autoimmune diseases. The c77g polymorphism has been investigated in several studies with patients suffering from MS. The reported results, however, are controversial. Jacobsen et al. demonstrated an association of this polymorphism with MS in three families whereas 3 studies excluded MS association later on [62-65].

MIF is found in the synovia of RA patients. The expression of MIF at sites of inflammation suggested a role in regulating the function in host defense. Expression of MIF correlates well with delayed hypersensitivity and cellular immunity in humans [23,24]. The MIF gene covers only less than 1 kb and has three exons separated by small introns of 189 and 95 bp [66]. So far 4 polymorphisms have been revealed in the MIF gene: a tetranucleotide repeat (CATT)_n beginning at nucleotide position -794, a g/c exchange in the promotor at position -173, a t/c substitution in intron 1 and a c/g substitution in intron 2 [67]. The (CATT)_n repeat is functionally relevant and it affects the activity of the MIF promotor. 5, 6, 7 and 8 consecutive CATT repeat units have been found. The (CATT)₅ allele has the lowest level of basal and stimulated MIF promotor activity in vitro [68]. In the JRA cohort presented here, the (CATT)₅ allele is overrepresented compared to the controls and the RA group as well as the 0507 genotype. The presence of the low expression-associated (CATT)₅ allele correlates with low disease severity in RA patients [68]. Donn et al. demonstrated that the MIF-173g/c variants result in altered expression of MIF in a cell type-specific manner. Serum levels of MIF are also significantly higher in individuals carrying a MIF-173c allele [69]. In this study the -173g/c polymorphism has been analysed. The c allele appears more frequently in the control group and in the group of JRA patients. The frequency of this allele in the RA group is statistically significantly lower.

IFNγ is produced by T lymphocytes in response to antigens. In the first intron of the IFNG gene on 12q14 a polymorphic (CA)_n microsatellite is located [26]. Microsatellite allele 02 is associated with high levels of IFNγ production in vitro. Khani-Hanjani et al. described susceptibility to and severity of RA are associated to different alleles of this microsatellite [28]. In our study no differences in the distribution of alleles was found between patients and controls. A similar result has been observed by Constantin et al. [70]. Thus the role of IFNG in RA susceptibility is not clear today.

Recently, a novel RA susceptibility locus on 17q22 homologous to one linked to two rat models of RA was found by linkage and association mapping [34]. We analysed three highly polymorphic microsatellites in this region, but no one is associated with the disease. CD79b, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is located in this region. Owing to the involvement in lymphocyte activation, it is a possible candidate gene for RA predisposition. Another gene located in this region is ICAM-2, which participates in the regulation of apoptosis. It is a cell surface adhesion molecule expressed on the endothelium and is involved in leukocyte recruitment into tissues [71]. TNFα and other cytokines are able to down-regulate ICAM-2 expression on the transcriptional level.

Conclusions

RA and JRA are complex diseases the manifestation of which is depending on the presence of an unknown number of predisposing alleles in a susceptible individuum. A gene of major effect has not been identified, but several statistically significant results have to be interpreted sensibly. Some of the investigated biallelic polymorphisms are not informative because of the low frequency of the second allele. Thus these markers are considered as not suitable for detecting genetic association. Clearly in the cases of 'negative' results, association with the genes tested can formally not be excluded, because other unlinked variations within the gene(s) in question may be pathogenetically relevant (and therefore also associated) in our cohorts. The number of investigated patients has to be increased to establish the possibility of subdivison of the cohorts according their clinical symptoms, severity of disease, HLA status and also with respect to individual genetic factors.

Patients and methods

List of abbreviations

CTLA4 cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4

IFNγ interferon gamma

IKBL inhibitor of kappa light chain gene enhancer in B cells-like gene

JRA juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

MIF macrophage migration inhibitory factor

MS multiple sclerosis

NFκB nuclear factor kappa B

PAA polyacrylamide

PCR polymerase chain reaction

PTPRC protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type C

RA rheumatoid arthritis

SE shared epitope

SSCP single-strand conformation polymorphism

TNFα tumor necrosis factor alpha

Authors' contributions

BM, WK and JTE carried out the molecular genetic analyses. SD and JK provided the blood samples and clinical investigations of the RA patients. GB and JO provided the blood samples and clinical investigations of the JRA patients. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Supplementary Material