How do smoking and HLA-DRB1 interact in RA?

Cigarette smoking has been identified as a major environmental risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially in individuals who carry the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope genetic variant. The interaction between smoking and HLA-DRB1 significantly increases the risk of developing RA and may also contribute to more severe disease progression. Smoking is thought to trigger an immune response in individuals with the HLA-DRB1 gene variant, leading to the development of autoimmune arthritis. Consequently, smoking cessation is recommended as a primary preventative measure for individuals at risk of RA, particularly those with the HLA-DRB1 gene variant.

This mind map was published on 9 April 2024 and has been viewed 40 times.