International Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. ISSN 0974-3073 Volume 2, Number 1 (2011), pp. 9-21 © International Research Publication House http://www.irphouse.com Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Complex Gene Environmental Interaction * Smriti Shukla, U.K. Chauhan, Arvind Kumar Tripathi, Mrigendra Kumar Dwivedi and Jitendra Kumar Tripathi Centre for Biotechnology Studies A.P.S. University, Rewa (M.P.) India E-mail: chauhanu@rediffmail.com, arvindt2584@gmail.com, bhaiuswivedi@rediffmail.com, jitendra.bt@gmail.com *Corresponding Author E-mail: Smritishukla1785@gmail.com Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis is most prevalent systemic autoimmune disorder. In condition of RA immune system target joint via attacking synovial membrane and inflammation in joints occur resulting in chronic pain, difficulty in movement and joint destruction. Mortality in RA is increased because the patients are susceptible for other disease like cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Many genetic factors and environmental factors have been found to be associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis but neither genetic nor environmental factors alone are able to cause RA alone. A complex gene environmental interaction is possibly responsible for the RA and its Pathophysiology. The therapeutics used for the treatment are not very significant and effective. Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Genetic factors, nongenetic factors. Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis is autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation in joints. The term Rheumatoid arthritis is first coined by Garrod (1939). The prime target of this disease is joints present throughout the body. In general the immune system of human body is consist of many type of cells and proteins to combat against foreign antigens and infection, when something goes wrong with our immune system, our immune system loss the ability to distinguish our body cells from foreign particles and antigen, at this point the condition of autoimmunity arise and our immune system start to destroy our body cells and chronic inflammation should be the result.