The HLA–DRB1 shared epitope alleles differ in the interaction with smoking and predisposition to antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide

Abstract

The HLA-DRB1 SE subtypes differ in their interaction with smoking and in their predisposition to anti-CCP antibodies. TE contributes to the development of RA in SE+, anti-CCP+ patients, which is explained by its effect on the level of anti-CCP antibodies.