We analyzed the possible association between human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G)
genetic variants, supposed to regulate HLA-G expression, and the susceptibility to
develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as its clinical manifestations. The 5′upstream
regulatory region (5′URR) and 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) regions of the HLA-G
gene were screened in 127 RA patients and 128 controls: 10 5′URR and 3 3′UTR
HLA-G polymorphisms as well as two haplotypes were associated with risk for RA
development, while a polymorphism in the 5′URR showed an association with the
degree of disease activity. These !ndings, although the number of cases analyzed is
limited and the P-values are modest, indicate a possible association between HLA-G
gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to develop RA disease and its severity.
