Background: Development of autoimmune diseases is the result of a complex interplay between hereditary and environmental factors, with multiple genes contributing to the pathogenesis in human disease as well as in experimental models for disease. The T-box protein 3 is a transcriptional repressor essential during early embryonic development, in the formation of bone and additional organ systems, and in tumorigenesis.

Methods: With the aim to find novel genes important for autoimmune inflammation, we have performed genetic studies of collagen-induced arthritis, a mouse experimental model for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Results: We show that a small genetic fragment on mouse chromosome 5, including Tbx3 and three additional protein-coding genes, is linked to severe arthritis and high titers of anti-collagen antibodies. Gene expression studies have revealed differential expression of Tbx3 in B-cells, where low expression was accompanied by a higher B-cell response upon B-cell receptor stimulation in vitro. Furthermore, we show that serum TBX3 levels rise concomitantly with increasing severity of CIA.

Conclusions: From these results, we suggest that TBX3 is a novel factor important for the regulation of gene transcription in the immune system and that genetic polymorphisms, resulting in lower expression of Tbx3, are contributing to a more severe form of collagen-induced arthritis and high titers of autoantibodies. We also propose TBX3 as a putative diagnostic biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis.