Age-related loss of CpG methylation in the tumour necrosis factor promoter.

Background: Dysregulated production of TNF has been implicated in the pathogenesis and severity of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, many of which show age-related increased incidence. Ageing is also associated with changes in the immune system including higher systemic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Methylation of DNA is an important regulator of gene expression and changes with age.

Alcohol consumption is inversely associated with risk and severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the association between frequency of alcohol consumption and the risk and severity of RA.

Methods: Frequency of alcohol consumption was recorded by patients and controls in a self-completed questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) for RA risk were calculated according to alcohol consumption, adjusted for age, gender and smoking status.

Complex genetic association of 6q23 with autoimmune rheumatic conditions.

In the paper by Dieguez-Gonzalez and colleagues in the present issue of Arthritis Research & Therapy, the results of a detailed genetic investigation of the recently identified rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility region at 6q23 containing the TNFAIP3 gene are reported. Their data confirm the complex nature of the association involving both the TNFAIP3 locus and a region >150 kb upstream that does not encode any known gene. These data are consistent with recent studies of systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility confirming the presence of several independent genetic contributions to autoimmune rheumatic diseases arising from 6q23.