Abstract: Describe herein is a novel CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position ?817 of the human Mif gene that functionally affects the activity of the Macrophage Inhibitory Factor (MIF) promoter in gene reporter assays. Four genotypes are described which comprise 5, 6, 7, or 8-CATT repeat units. Of these, the 5-CATT allele has the lowest level of basal and stimulated MIF promoter activity in vitro. The presence of the low expressing, 5-CATT repeat allele correlated with low disease severity in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods, compositions and apparatus for detecting this CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position ?817 of the human Mif gene, and for using same for assessing predisposition to severe inflammatory disease, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Describe herein is a novel CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position ?817 of the human Mif that functionally affects the activity of the Macrophage Inhibitory Factor (MIF) promoter in gene reporter assays. Four genotypes are described which comprise 5, 6, 7, or 8-CATT repeat units. Of these, the 5-CATT allele has the lowest level of basal and stimulated MIF promoter activity in vitro. The presence of the low expressing, 5-CATT repeat allele correlated with low disease severity in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods, compositions and apparatus for detecting this CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position ?817 of the human Mif gene, and for using same for assessing predisposition to severe inflammatory disease, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are products and processes for detecting the presence or absence of multiple target nucleic acids. Certain methods include amplifying the target nucleic acids, or portion thereof; extending oligonucleotides that specifically hybridize to the amplicons, where the oligonucleotides include distinguishable labels and a capture agent; capturing the extended oligonucleotides to a solid phase via the capture agent; releasing and detecting the distinguishable label, and thereby determining the presence or absence of each target nucleic acid by the presence or absence of the distinguishable label.

Abstract: Describe herein is a CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position ?817 of the human Mif gene that functionally affects the activity of the Macrophage Inhibitory Factor (MIF) promoter in gene reporter assays. Four genotypes are described which comprise 5, 6, 7, or 8-CATT repeat units. Of these, the 5-CATT allele has the lowest level of basal and stimulated MIF promoter activity in vitro. The presence of the low expressing, 5-CATT repeat allele correlated with low disease severity in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods, compositions and apparatus for detecting this CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position ?817 of the human Mif gene, and for using same for assessing predisposition to severe inflammatory disease, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Describe herein is a novel CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position −817 of the human Mif gene that functionally affects the activity of the Macrophage Inhibitory Factor (MIF) promoter in gene reporter assays. Four genotypes are described which comprise 5, 6, 7, or 8-CATT repeat units. Of these, the 5-CATT allele has the lowest level of basal and stimulated MIF promoter activity in vitro. The presence of the low expressing, 5-CATT repeat allele correlated with low disease severity in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods, compositions and apparatus for detecting this CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position −817 of the human Mif gene, and for using same for assessing predisposition to severe inflammatory disease, are also disclosed.