Interferon-gamma microsatellite and rheumatoid arthritis

Several non-HLA genes contribute to the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A recent report noted an allele (126 bp [CA13]) of the interferon-gamma intron A microsatellite repeat strongly associated with both the occurrence and the severity of RA. We assessed this locus in an independent set of 128 controls and 93 prospectively recruited patients with early RA. The reported association could not be confirmed. This discrepancy might be due to technical problems, which could be avoided by the use of reference samples.