Our data clearly show an increased expression of the MXA and MXB genes providing evidence of the role that these molecules might have in the induction of inflammation in the early phases of RA or even previous to the onset of symptoms in individuals at high risk, with the possible involvement of such molecules even in the preclinical autoimmune phase of RA, explaining just in part the lack of differences in the established phase of the disease. This evidence concerns the gene MX1 and rheumatoid arthritis.