Studies of a C2 DNA polymorphism in RA, Felty's and normal subjects.

A restriction fragment length polymorphism at the C2 locus was studied in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Felty's and control subjects. No association was found between any C2 variant and either RA itself or within the rheumatoid population with Felty's syndrome. The C2 DNA polymorphism can be used to subdivide Bf*S- as well as Bf*F-bearing haplotypes. The 2.65-kb C2 DNA allele showed allelic association with HLA-B44 and C4B*Q0 and may help to further characterize the haplotype B44-Bf*S-C4A*3-C4B*Q0-DR4, which has previously been described in Felty's syndrome.