Whole blood microRNA expression pattern differentiates patients with rheumatoid arthritis, their seropositive first-degree relatives, and healthy unrelated control subjects

In studying the first-degree relatives (FDRs) of INA patients with RA, we have demonstrated frequent RF and ACPA seropositivity, and we have shown that the serum cytokine profile of the FDRs resembles that of their affected relatives more so than that of control subjects with no family history of autoimmune disease [6-8]. [...]this population is ideally suited for studying the onset of RA in high-risk individuals and the potential role that genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors play in the process. [...]in comparing patients with RA with FDRs, miR-34a*, miR-26b-5p, and miR-346 differe... Mehr ...