To evaluate and extend upon a reported association of a T cell receptor (TCR) V beta coding region polymorphism with pauciarticular-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).
TCR V beta 6.1 genotypes and haplotypes in JRA and control groups were determined by DNA amplification.
Haplotypes of the V beta 6.1 gene which encode a nonfunctional form of V beta 6.1 were significantly associated with pauciarticular JRA in patients possessing the HLA-DQA1*0101 allele (P = 0.0073).
A TCR V beta gene segment in the vicinity of V beta 6.1, possibly V beta 6.1, is apparently involved in the pathogenesis of pauciarticular-onset JRA in DQA1*0101-positive individuals.