HLA DRB1/DQB1 alleles and DRB1-DQB1 haplotypes and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in Tunisians: a population-based case-control study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease, which affects synovial joints, and is influenced by environmental and genetic factors, in particular the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) system. In our study, we investigated the association of HLA class II DRB1 and DQB1 alleles and DRB1‐DQB1 haplotypes with RA susceptibility in Tunisian subjects. Therefore, HLA class II low‐resolution genotyping was done in 110 RA patients and 116 controls, with a HLA‐DRB1*04 high‐resolution typing. Our results showed a strong association between HLA‐DRB1*04/DRB1*04:05 alleles and RA presence, which persisted after correcting for multiple comparisons (Pc < 10−3, Pc = 0.020, respectively), in contrast to the protective effect of HLA‐DRB1*04:03 allele (Pc = 15.2 × 10−4). However, increased frequency of DQB1*05 (Pc = 0.020) and decreased frequency of DRB1*04:03 subtype (Pc = 0.032) were seen in RF+ patients than controls. Moreover, when RA patients were compared to controls, DRB1*04‐DQB1*03 haplotype was associated with RA susceptibility in Tunisians (Pc = 16.8 × 10−5), independently of RF status. Conversely, DRB1*01 allele and DRB1*01‐DQB1*05 haplotype was highly present in RF+ vs RF− groups (Pc < 10−3, Pc = 5.6 × 10−3, respectively) and seems to be linked to seropositivity. Investigation of HLA class II alleles and haplotypes association with RA susceptibility with secondary Sjögren's syndrome (sSS) showed a predisposing effect of DRB1*04 (Pc < 10−3) and DRB1*04‐DQB1*03 haplotype when RA with sSS/without sSS groups were compared to healthy controls. Our results confirms the association of HLA‐DRB1*04, specifically HLA‐DRB1*04:05 subtype, and DRB1*04‐DQB1*03 haplotype with RA susceptibility in Tunisians, independently of seropositivity or the sSS presence.