Haplotype analysis of the prostacyclin synthase gene and essential hypertension.

Previously, we discovered 3 polymorphisms in the prostacyclin synthase (PGIS) gene: 1) T-192G, in the 5-flanking region, a novel single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that is not associated with essential hypertension (EH); 2) a variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism, 6 nucleotides upstream from the ATG start codon, that is associated with risk of cerebral infarction; and 3) C1117A, in exon 8, an SNP that does not cause an amino acid change in codon 373, and that is associated with risk of myocardial infarction (MI). The purpose of the present study was to establish haplotypes of the PGIS gene consisting of these 3 polymorphisms, and to assess the association between these haplotypes and EH. We detected 19 haplotypes. There was no significant difference in the overall distribution of haplotypes between EH and normotensive subjects. To summarize, we successfully identified haplotypes of the PGIS gene, and these haplotypes were not associated with EH.     

血管紧张素Ⅱ 1型受体基因单核苷酸多态性与原发性高血压和冠心病的相关研究

目的研究血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体基因（AT1）单核苷酸多态性（SNP）与华东地区汉族人原发性高血压和冠心病的相关性。方法对AT1基因的启动子区、5’非翻译区、外显子及邻近内含子和3’非翻译区设计引物进行分段扩增,采用直接测序法在20个随机样本中检测AT1基因的SNP,选择所发现的SNP在213例单纯高血压、171例高血压合并冠心病和200例正常对照中进行基因分型,以期探讨ATl基因在原发性高血压和冠心病发病中的作用。结果共检出8个SNP,其中6个在启动子区,1个在编码区,1个在3’非翻译区,分别对SNP6（A-153G）、SNP7（T573C）和SNP8（A1166C）行基因分型,显示位于启动子-153G等位基因在原发性高血压合并冠心病组中的频率是17．8％,在对照组中是11．5％（P〈0．05）,而T573C和A1166C多态则未显示有统计学意义。结论血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体基因启动子-153位A被G替代可能与华东汉族人原发性高血压患者合并冠心病相关。     

SCNN1A基因多态性与土家族、苗族及汉族人群原发性高血压相关性的研究

目的:探讨上皮细胞钠通道α亚基(SCNN1A)基因单核苷酸多态性位点rs2228576与湘西土家族、苗族和汉族人群原发性高血压(EH)的相关性。方法:用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术分析土家族(120例)、苗族(117例)和汉族(125例)人群EH患者(EH组)与正常人群[正常对照组(土家族119例、苗族125例、汉族122例)]SCNN1A等位基因频率分布状况。结果:土家族、苗族和汉族均存在3种AA、AG及GG基因型;土家族、苗族和汉族正常对照组基因型频率分别为(0.109,0.538,0.353;0.152,0.472,0.376;0.164,0.541,0.295);各族EH组与正常对照组基因型频率差异均无统计学意义(χ2=5.662,P>0.843);等位基因频率差异均无统计学意义(χ2=3.538,P>0.618)。结论:3个民族均存在SCNN1A基因rs2228576多态性位点,但该多态性位点与3个民族EH无明显相关性。     

Haplotype analysis of the human renin gene and essential hypertension

The human renin gene is an attractive candidate for involvement in the underlying cause of essential hypertension (EH). Despite extensive examination, the relation between the renin gene and hypertension remains unclear. The aims of the present study were to discover new genetic markers of EH and to investigate the relations between polymorphisms of the renin gene and EH in the Japanese. Using the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method, we isolated 3 novel variants of the renin gene; a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in intron 4 (T+17int4G), a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in intron 7, and a missense mutation in exon 9 (G1051A). We performed an association study with these polymorphisms in 212 patients with EH and 209 age-matched normotensive (NT) subjects. The frequency of genotypes VNTR and T+17int4G did not differ significantly between the 2 groups, whereas the overall distribution of G1051A was significantly different between EH and NT. Haplotype analysis revealed that the overall distribution of haplotypes differed significantly between the EH and NT groups. PRA levels in patients with EH with the G/G genotype were significantly higher than in subjects with EH with G/A and A/A genotypes. These data suggest that the missense mutation in exon 9 may affect the enzymatic function of renin and consequently may be involved in the etiology of hypertension.     

A common missense single nucleotide polymorphism in the E-selectin gene is significantly associated with essential hypertension in the Han population but only weakly associated in the Uygur population

Experimental and clinical observations suggest that E-selectin could have an important role in essential hypertension (EH), but the relationship between common E-selectin variants and EH has not been extensively studied in the Chinese population. In this study, we explored the association between two common variants in the E-selectin gene (rs5361A/C and rs5355C/T) and EH in the Uygur, Kazakh and Han populations in the Xinjiang area. A case-control study was conducted to explore the association between these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms and EH in a large sample size, including 941 EH subjects (309 Uygur, 264 Kazakh and 368 Han individuals) and 924 control subjects (300 Uygur, 275 Kazakh and 349 Han individuals). Univariate analysis showed that the rs5361 A/C polymorphism was significantly associated with EH in the Uygur (P=0.002) and Han (P=3.6 × 10(-7)) populations. The CC genotype of this SNP was present only in patients with EH in all of the three nationalities studied. Han individuals who carry the CC genotype of rs5361 were more susceptible to EH, according to the dominant models (P=1.13 × 10(-4), odds ratio=3.812, 95% confidence interval: 1.685-7.792), but there was no association of genotype with EH for the other ethnicities. No significant difference in rs5355 C/T polymorphism rate was found between the EH and control groups. Our results indicate that the common variant rs5361 is strongly associated with EH in Han individuals and weakly associated in Uygur individuals. The CC genotype of rs5361 might be an independent risk factor for EH among Uygur, Kazakh and Han individuals in the Xinjiang area.     

Association between the calcitonin-related peptide alpha (CALCA) gene and essential hypertension in Japanese subjects

BACKGROUND: Calcitonin-related peptide alpha (CALCA) is a neuropeptide that is a very potent vasodilator. It has been reported that CALCA knockout mice have a significantly elevated systolic blood pressure (BP). The aims of this study were to discover novel polymorphisms or mutations in the 5' flanking region of the human CALCA gene in Japanese subjects and to assess the association between this gene and essential hypertension (EH). METHODS: Japanese patients with EH (50.1 +/- 6.6 years old, n = 274) and age-matched Japanese subjects without EH (51.1 +/- 6.6 years old, n = 225) were recruited. The 5' flanking region of the human CALCA gene was searched to identify novel polymorphisms in the 20 EH patients using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a direct sequencing method. These novel polymorphisms, as well as the known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), were used for genotyping. RESULTS: We discovered a novel 2-bp microdeletion polymorphism in intron 1. The only three participants with 2-bp microdeletion polymorphism were found in the EH group. None of the subjects without EH had a 2-bp microdeletion polymorphism. The genotype and allele distribution of the 4 SNPs were not significantly different between the groups. All five polymorphisms were located in one haplotype block. The haplotype was constructed using, in order, rs1553005, 2-bp microdeletion polymorphism, and rs5241. There was a significant association between EH and the C-AGins-A haplotype (P = .00031). CONCLUSIONS: A novel 2-bp microdeletion polymorphism was discovered in the CALCA gene. Based on the results of the haplotype-based case control study, the CALCA gene could be the susceptibility gene for EH.     

Haplotype analysis of PPARγ C681G and intron CT variants

Background

There is strong evidence suggesting an association between the peroxisome-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) gene and multimetabolic disorders. The association of PPARγ genetic variants with essential hypertension (EH) has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the PPARγ gene (C681G and intron CT) and EH, examining the polymorphism and haplotype in a Han Chinese population.

Methods

Participants were recruited within the framework of the PMMJS cohort population survey in an urban community of Jiangsu Province, China. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously reported to be associated with multimetabolic disorders and the reasonable coverage of the PPARγ gene region were analyzed with TaqMan SNP genotyping assays.

Results

C681G and intron CT were significantly associated with an increased risk of EH both in the codominant model and the dominant model after adjusting for potential nongenetic risk factors. Analysis of the haplotype association revealed that the risk of EH was significantly increased among individuals carrying the GC (odds ratio, 95?% CI: 1.60, 1.21–2.11), CT (1.45, 1.03–2.11), and GT haplotypes (1.95, 1.17–3.23) compared with those carrying the CC haplotype.

Conclusion

The polymorphisms of C681G and intron CT were significantly associated with the risk of EH, and the GC, CT, and GT haplotypes established by C681G and intron CT are likely to be genetic markers of EH in the Han Chinese population.     

上海汉族人胰高血糖素基因单核苷酸多态性与原发性高血压的相关性

目的：检测人胰高血糖素基因编码区和调控区的单核苷酸多态性（SNP）及其基因型在上海汉族人群中的分布,并分析和原发性高血压（EH）的相关性。方法：用直接测序法和变性高效液相色谱法（DHPLC）进行SNP检测,用直接测序法对EH组和正常血压组（NT）进行SNP基因分型。结果：在胰高血糖素基因的2号外显子（3689位）和3号外显子连接区（5505位）各检测到1个SNP,对其中一个高频SNP（C3689T）的分型结果显示,SNP基因型频率在EH组和NT组间差异无显著性,不同基因型组间血压,血糖,血脂和肾功能等生化指标差异均无显著性。结论：SNP在不同种族中差异有显著性;胰高血糖素基因的C3689T基因型分布在NT和EH间差异无显著性。     

A novel variable number of tandem repeat polymorphism of the renin gene and essential hypertension.

The aims of the present study were to find new genetic markers of essential hypertension (EH) and to investigate relationships between EH and polymorphisms of the renin gene. Using single strand conformation polymorphism, we discovered a new variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in intron 7 that is 18 bp upstream from the boundary with exon 8. Nucleotide sequencing revealed that this VNTR polymorphism is a tandem repeat of the 4-nucleotide sequence TCTG. There were 6 alleles of this VNTR polymorphism, ranging from 7 repeats to 12 repeats. We analyzed the association between EH and this VNTR polymorphism. There was no significant difference in the overall distribution of this VNTR polymorphism between the EH and normotensive subjects. In summary, we discovered a novel VNTR polymorphism in the renin gene, and this polymorphism was not associated with EH.     

The obesity-related polymorphism PCSK1 rs6235 is associated with essential hypertension in the Han Chinese population

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-type 1 (PCSK1) is a prohormone convertase that has an important role in prohormone maturation including the process of prorenin to renin. We studied the association of the PCSK1 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6235 (encoding an S690T substitution) with essential hypertension (EH), obesity and related traits in the Han Chinese population. The rs6235 SNP in the PCSK1 gene was investigated using a case-control study design, with 1034 hypertension cases and 1112 normotensive controls. In this study, the rs6235 SNP was significantly associated with hypertension (OR=1.26, 95% CI (1.10-1.46), P=0.001); the odds ratios of GC vs GG and CC vs GG were 1.30 (95% CI (1.06-1.58), P=0.010) and 1.55 (95% CI (1.12-2.13), P=0.007), respectively. In the controls, the C-allele was associated with increased systolic (P=0.010) and diastolic (P=0.010) blood pressure levels. In all of the EH patients and EH patients without a history of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system-related antagonists, the C-allele was associated with increased plasma renin activity (P=0.00004 and 0.002, respectively) and aldosterone levels (P=0.018 and 0.005, respectively). The C-allele was also associated with increased body mass index (BMI) (P=0.010) in the normotensive controls. In conclusion, the PCSK1 SNP rs6235 was associated with EH and blood pressure in the Han Chinese population, and this association may be mediated by the SNP's effect on RAA levels. rs6235 was also associated with BMI in this population.     

WNK4基因多态性与新疆哈萨克族原发性高血压的关系

目的 探讨新疆哈萨克族WNK 4(with no K=lysine kinase)基因内含子10(intron10)多态性与原发性高血压间的关系,了解该基因多态性在哈萨克族人群中的分布情况.方法 采用直接测序法测定WNK 4基因intron10序列,确定单核苷酸多态性位点及类型,应用多聚酶链反应、限制性片段长度多态性技术(PCR-RFLP)对该位点进行基因分型,其中原发性高血压患者191例(高血压组)、健康对照组173例.结果 在WNK 4基因intron10发现一多态性位点(17号染色体上碱基1156666,G→A);PCR-RFLP分型,GG、GA、AA各基因型在哈萨克族高血压组和健康对照组的频率分别为88.0%、11.0%、1.0%和91.9%、8.1%、0%,差异无统计学意义(均为P＞0.05);A等位基因频率分别为6.5%和4.0%,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 WNK 4基因intronl0多态性可能不是新疆哈萨克族原发性高血压的遗传易感指标.     

Two medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A synthetase genes, SAH and MACS1, are associated with plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, but they are not associated with essential hypertension

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: SAH has been proposed as a candidate gene for essential hypertension (EH) because elevated expression of SAH was observed in the kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Recently, a homology search of SAH in the human genome revealed the presence of the SAH gene family, which includes SAH, MACS1, MACS2, and MACS3. SAH and MACS1 are located within a 150-kb region on human chromosome 16p13.11. SAH and MACS1 are thought to function as acyl-coenzyme A synthetases, which are involved in fatty acid metabolism. In the present study, we analyzed six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SAH and MACS1 genes in a Japanese population, and examined whether these SNPs contribute to EH and multiple risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed association studies of six SNPs in 287 EH patients and 259 normotensive subjects. Multiple logistic linear regression analysis revealed that the allele frequencies of these six SNPs in SAH and MACS1 genes were not significantly different between EH patients and normotensives. SNP in exon 8 of the A/G polymorphism of the MACS1 gene and the G/T SNP in intron 3 of the SAH gene were associated with plasma levels of plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: SNPs in the MACS1 and SAH genes contribute to plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.     

Lipoprotein lipase gene polymorphisms and blood pressure levels in the Northern Chinese Han population.

The lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene has been investigated extensively in linkage studies and in studies of its association with lipid profiles and coronary artery disease (CAD), and this gene has also been reported to have an association with hypertension. In our previous linkage study on 148 Chinese hypertensive families, the regions at or near the LPL gene were found to be associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Thus the LPL gene is a logical candidate gene for involvement in the underlying cause of essential hypertension (EH). In the present study, we identified 22 sequence variants by directly sequencing 10 exons and flanking regions of the LPL gene, and investigated the occurrence of 3 of these variants, IVS4-214C>T, 7754C>A and S447X, in a case-control study including 501 normotensive (NT) subjects and 497 EH subjects. In males, the frequencies of the genotypes of each of the 3 variants did not differ significantly between the NT and EH groups. Among the EH group in females, ANCOVA revealed no significant difference in blood pressure levels according to the 7754C>A genotype. However, in female, the distribution of the 7754C>A genotype and the frequency of the A allele of 7754C>A differed significantly between the NT and EH groups (p=0.032 and p=0.027, respectively) with 0.78 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56 to 1.07; p=0.12) of odds ratio for the A allele. Moreover, haplotype analysis revealed that T-A-C and T-C-G haplotypes (in the order of IVS4-214C>T, 7754C>A and S447X) were statistically more frequent in the NT group than in the EH group in females and males, respectively. Our indivisual single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis did not provide substantial evidence of an association between polymorphisms in the LPL gene and hypertension status and/or blood pressure levels in this cohort, but the more powerful haplotypes analysis suggested an association between the LPL gene and hypertension.     

Systematic screening of type B human natriuretic peptide receptor gene polymorphisms and association with essential hypertension.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) dilates arteries, lowers blood pressure and inhibits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells via the type B natriuretic peptide receptor (NPRB). The CNP-NPRB system may play a crucial role in the development of cardiovascular disease. We recently determined the structure of the human NPRB gene. In the present study, our objectives are to identify the polymorphisms of the NPRB gene and investigate the association of this gene with essential hypertension (EH). We used the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique to study the NPRB gene polymorphism, and conducted an association study using a novel polymorphic marker. PCR-SSCP analysis of all 22 exons was done in 90 subjects, and abnormally-migrating bands were observed in the analyses of exon 11 and intron 18. Direct sequencing of these DNA fragments revealed the following sequence alterations: a C to T transition at nucleotide (nt) 2077 in exon 11 and a 9-bp insertion/deletion (I/D) in intron 18. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) was developed to detect the C2077T transition. PCR-RFLP analyses of healthy subjects revealed that the C2077T polymorphism had complete linkage to GT repeats in intron 2 reported previously. The I/D polymorphism was identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and it was not linked to any known polymorphic alleles of this gene. Therefore, the possible association between the I/D polymorphism and EH was investigated. A total of 123 individuals with EH and 123 age-matched normotensive control subjects were studied. Overall distributions of allele frequencies in the two groups were not significantly different. Although the I/D polymorphism in intron 18 of the NPRB gene was not associated with EH, the results of this study, which identified two novel polymorphisms in the human NPRB gene, will facilitate further genetic analysis of this gene and cardiovascular disease.     

Lack of Association of the Renin-angiotensin System Genes Polymorphisms and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertension

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine if there is an association of different gene polymorphisms of renin-angiotensin system and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with essential hypertension (EH) in St Petersburg population. Patients and methods: We examined 156 patients (the mean age 49 ±8 years) with mild-to-moderate EH recruited from the general population of the outpatient clinic. Left ventricular mass was measured by echocardiography and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated. Subjects were genotyped for I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene, A1166C polymorphism of renin-of the AT1 receptor gene, M235T polymorphism of angiotensinogen gene and-6G/A polymorphism of its promoter region. Results: Genotype distribution of the sample obeyed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and was comparable to that reported previously for hypertensive individuals. Groups of patients with II, ID and DD polymorphism of ACE gene did not differ significantly in their LVMI levels. Furthermore, neither ID ACE-gene polymorphism nor AT1-receptor gene and angiotensinogen gene polymorphism was associated with LVH. Additionally, no any significant gene-gene interactions were found to be associated with LVH in the group studied. Conclusions: In the light of these observations it seems reasonable to make a preliminary conclusion about lack of association between LVH and distinct polymorphisms of renin-angiotensin system genes in the population studied.     

血浆激肽释放酶B1和缓激肽受体B2基因多态性及体质指数与老年原发性高血压的关系

目的 探讨血浆激肽释放酶B1(KLKB1)和缓激肽受体B2(BDKRB2)基因多态性及体质指数(BMI)与老年原发性高血压的关系.方法 应用限制性片段长度多态性-聚合酶链反应(RFLP-PCR)的方法检测103例重庆地区老年原发性高血压患者和103例老年正常对照者的KLKB1基因rs2304595和BDKRB2基因rs1799722多态性.结果 与正常对照组相比,老年原发性高血压组收缩压和体质指数均高于正常对照组(P<0.05);老年原发性高血压男性亚组rs2304595位点GG基因型和G等位基因频率无统计学差异(P>0.05);老年原发性高血压女性亚组GG基因型和G等位基因频率有显著统计学差异(P<0.01);而rs1799722位点的基因多态性无统计学差异(P>0.05).Logistic回归分析表明:rs2304595位点GG基因型和BMI均不同程度的增加老年原发性高血压的发病风险,二者之间存在协同作用.结论 KLKB1基因rs2304595位点GG基因型和G等位基因可能是老年汉族女性原发性高血压发病的一个遗传标志,并且GG基因型和BMI对老年原发性高血压发病存在协同作用;而BDKRB2基因rs1799722基因多态性与老年原发性高血压发病的关系尚不明确.     

脑利钠肽基因型和生活习惯与高血压关系的病例对照研究

目的研究脑利钠肽（BNP）基因T-381C单核苷酸多态性和生活习惯与原发性高血压的关系。方法用病例-对照研究设计,选取高血压病例（高血压组）和与之年龄、性别匹配的按1：1配对的健康对照各796例（对照组）,运用PCR-限制片段多态（RFLP）技术检测BNP基因启动子区第381位点的T/C基因多态性,并比较不同基因型、生活习惯与高血压发病风险的关系。结果两组人群BNP基因T-381C等位基因的分布差异无显著性（χ~2=2.29,P=0.13）;高血压组CC基因型频率明显高于对照组,TC基因型频率低于对照组,三种基因型分布比较差异有统计学意义（χ~2=48.81,P〈0.05）。与携带TT或TC基因型者比较,携带CC基因型个体患高血压的风险增加（OR=1.98,95%CI 1.39～2.38）。吸烟显著增加了高血压风险（OR=2.30,95%CI1.70～2.91）,经常嗜酒（≥2次/周）增加高血压风险,OR处于临界值（OR=1.53,95%CI 1.19～1.89）,高盐饮食的作用较明显（OR=1.97,95%CI 1.48～2.31）,同时有吸烟、饮酒与高盐饮食习惯且携带CC基因型者发生高血压的风险增高,体育锻炼是保护性因素。结论原发性高血压与BNP基因T-381C多态性、生活习惯及它们之间的相互作用有关。     

乙酰辅酶A羧化酶β基因多态性与2型糖尿病易感性关系的初步研究

目的 研究上海地区汉族人群中乙酰辅酶A羧化酶B（ACC-β）的2个单核苷酸多态性（SNP）位点与2型糖尿病（T2DM）易感性的关系。方法 采用等位基因专一性实时PCR的方法对上海地区438例T2DM患者及328名正常对照者（NC）ACC-β基因的2个SNP位点进行分析。结果 （1）ACC-β基因16号内含子区存在SNP位点116／73C＞T，T2DM组和NC组两组间基因型频率比较，差异有统计学意义（P=0．031）。且CC型＋CT型与TT型的分组比较在两组间的差异也有统计学意义（P=0．027）。（2）ACC-B基因16号内含子区还存在另-SNP位点：116／288A〉G，T2DM组G等位基因的频率高于NC组，但无统计学意义。结论 在上海地区的汉族人群中，ACC-β基因可能是T2DM的易感基因之一，其16号内含子区的116／73C＞T多态性（rs2268393）可能与T2DM的发病相关。     

Investigation of the MHC2TA gene, associated with rheumatoid arthritis in a Swedish population, in a UK rheumatoid arthritis cohort

OBJECTIVE: A recent study of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed an association with a functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mapping to the promoter region of the MHC2TA gene on chromosome 16p13 in a Swedish population. Interestingly, evidence for linkage to this region has been detected previously in a subgroup of UK RA families carrying 2 copies of shared epitope (SE) alleles. Therefore, we undertook this study to investigate the association of the MHC2TA gene promoter with RA in a UK Caucasian population. METHODS: Association with 5 SNPs spanning the promoter region of the MHC2TA gene was investigated in 813 UK RA patients and 532 population controls. Association with a functional putative RA-causal polymorphism (-168*G/A [rs3087456]) was tested in a total of 1,401 UK RA patients and 2,475 controls. Genotyping was performed using a Sequenom MassArray platform. Estimated haplotype frequencies were generated using the expectation-maximization algorithm and compared between patients and controls. RESULTS: All SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No evidence for association was found, either with the putative RA-causal polymorphism (-168*G/A) or with the other SNPs tested. Haplotype analysis revealed extensive linkage disequilibrium across the promoter region but no evidence for association. Stratifying the data set by carriage of SE alleles did not alter the conclusions. CONCLUSION: A functional polymorphism of the MHC2TA gene locus previously associated with RA in a European population has not been associated with RA in a UK population. These findings do not provide support for the notion that this gene plays a major role in the etiology of RA.