[Progress of molecular genetics research on rheumatoid arthritis].

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder that principally attacks flexible joints and synovia. The precise pathogenesis of RA remains unclear, and genetic factors probably play an important role in its etiology. In addition to genes from human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region, such as HLA-DRB, genes from non-HLA region, such as TIM-3, PTPN22, TRAF1/C5, STAT4, CCR5, PADI4 and FCGR2A may also contribute to its susceptibility. The advance in molecular genetics research on RA is reviewed here.