What are the mechanisms of smoking and HLA-DRB1 interaction in RA?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that is associated with a number of risk factors, including smoking and certain genetic factors such as the HLA-DRB1 gene. Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of developing RA, particularly in individuals who carry certain HLA-DRB1 alleles. The mechanisms underlying the interaction between smoking and HLA-DRB1 in RA are not fully understood, but it is believed that smoking may trigger an immune response in individuals with certain HLA-DRB1 alleles, leading to the development of RA. Additionally, smoking has been shown to increase inflammation and oxidative stress, which may further contribute to the development and progression of RA in individuals with specific genetic predispositions.

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