The Antigen Presenting Cell Lectin-like Receptor gene Complex, APLEC, regulates susceptibility to oil induced arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, and clinically heterogeneous disease characterized by symmetric inflammation in the peripheral joints, leading to cartilage destruction and bone erosion. Epidemiologic data indicate that the disease evolves from complex interactions of multiple environmental and genetic factors. Experimental arthritis models provide opportunities to both control and manipulate genetic and environmental factors, in order to identify these factors. Here we have used the oil induced arthritis (OIA) model to map a genetic factor that determines the outcome arthritis development in a susceptible rat strain. We have fine-mapped the gene locus to reside in the Antigen presenting cell lectin-like receptor gene complex, APLEC. APLEC encode receptors with immunoregulatory function. We have further narrowed down the gene candidates to Mincle, Dcir1 and Dcar1 based on sequence and expression analysis. A SNP analysis of human RA patients revealed an association of anti-CCP negative RA to Dcir, the human ortholog to Dcir1. Thus, data from both the experimental model and human studies points to a role of APLEC genes in precipitation of inflammatory joint disease