Polymorphisms and expression of inflammasome genes are associated with the development and severity of rheumatoid arthritis in Brazilian patients.

Objective: In the present study, we analyzed the possible association of inflammasome gene variants and expression to rheumatoid arthritis (RA)'s development and severity in the Brazilian population.

Materials And Methods: Thirteen single nucleotide polymorphisms within six inflammasome genes (NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, CARD8, CASP1) as well as IL1B and IL18 genes in two different Brazilian populations (from Northeast and Southeast Brazil) were analyzed. We also evaluated inflammasome gene expression profile in resting and LPS + ATP-treated monocytes from RA patients and healthy individuals.