The HLA-DRB1 gene is the most well-known gene associated with an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Specifically, certain variations in the HLA-DRB1 gene, known as shared epitope alleles, have been shown to increase the risk of developing RA. The shared epitope is a small sequence of amino acids within the HLA-DRB1 gene that is present in several different HLA-DRB1 alleles…. Read More »