Researchers claim to have found a genetic variant that is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The team at Manchester University made the discovery after studying nine genetic regions identified earlier this year as potentially holding DNA variants determining susceptibility to RA.
Writing in the journal Nature Genetics, they say that the finding has brought scientists one step closer to understanding the genetic risk factors for RA.
About 387,000 people in the UK have RA, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis that can affect nearly all joints in the body, particularly the hands and the feet.
The researchers 'unequivocally' found an RA-linked variant on chromosome six.
Although this variant is not on a gene, Professor Jane Worthington from the Arthritis Research Campaign at Manchester University said it may influence the behaviour of a nearby gene called TNFAIP3 - a gene known to be involved in inflammatory processes.
Dr Anne Barton, a clinician on the team, commented: 'We believe the genetic marker we have found may determine who develops RA or how severe the disease becomes.'
Work is now underway to understand how the variation within the chromosome six region influences the development of RA, the course of the disease and the response to treatment.
'This is a very exciting result; the validation of this association takes us one step closer to understanding the genetic risk factors behind what is a debilitating disease for sufferers and an expensive disease for the NHS,' said Professor Worthington.
The team at Manchester University made the discovery after studying nine genetic regions identified earlier this year as potentially holding DNA variants determining susceptibility to RA.
Writing in the journal Nature Genetics, they say that the finding has brought scientists one step closer to understanding the genetic risk factors for RA.
About 387,000 people in the UK have RA, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis that can affect nearly all joints in the body, particularly the hands and the feet.
The researchers 'unequivocally' found an RA-linked variant on chromosome six.
Although this variant is not on a gene, Professor Jane Worthington from the Arthritis Research Campaign at Manchester University said it may influence the behaviour of a nearby gene called TNFAIP3 - a gene known to be involved in inflammatory processes.
Dr Anne Barton, a clinician on the team, commented: 'We believe the genetic marker we have found may determine who develops RA or how severe the disease becomes.'
Work is now underway to understand how the variation within the chromosome six region influences the development of RA, the course of the disease and the response to treatment.
'This is a very exciting result; the validation of this association takes us one step closer to understanding the genetic risk factors behind what is a debilitating disease for sufferers and an expensive disease for the NHS,' said Professor Worthington.
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