Article
Transfer of the shared epitope through microchimerism in women with rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis and rheumatism - 1 Jan 2009
Rak J M, Maestroni L, Balandraud N, Guis S, Boudinet H, Guzian M C, Yan Z, Azzouz D, Auger I, Roudier C, Martin M, Didelot R, Roudier J, Lambert N C
Abstract excerpt
OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects mostly women and is associated with HLA-DRB1 genes having in common a shared epitope sequence. In parallel, cells and/or DNA originating from pregnancy (microchimerism) persist for decades and could contribute to autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to examine whether microchimerism may be a source of the shared epitope among women with...
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