HLA AND T-CELL RECEPTOR BETA-CHAIN DNA POLYMORPHISMS IDENTIFY A DISTINCT SUBSET OF PATIENTS WITH PAUCIARTICULAR-ONSET JUVENILE RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Objective. To evaluate and extend upon a reported association of a T cell receptor (TCR) V-beta coding region polymorphism with pauciarticular-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Methods. TCR V(beta)6.1 genotypes and haplotypes in JRA and control groups were determined by DNA amplification. Results. Haplotypes of the V(beta)6.1 gene which encode a nonfunctional form of V(beta)6.1 were significantly associated with pauciarticular JRA in patients possessing the HLA-DQA1*0101 allele (P = 0.0073). Conclusion. A TCR V-beta gene segment in the vicinity of V(beta)6.1, possibly V(beta)6.1, is apparently involved in the pathogenesis of pauciarticular-onset JRA in DQA1*0101-positive individuals.