Multiple Sclerosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Multiple Sclerosis, including details on diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, prognosis.

IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to multiple sclerosis but not to interferon-beta treatment response.

Leyva L, Fernández O, Fedetz M, Blanco E, Fernández VE, Oliver B, León A, Pinto-Medel MJ, Mayorga C, Guerrero M, Luque G, Alcina A, Matesanz F

Laboratorio de Investigación, Hospital Civil, pab 5 sótano. Pza del Hospital Civil s/n., 29009 Málaga, Spain.

We investigated the role of three polymorphisms in the IFNAR1 (SNPs 18417 and -408) and IFNAR2 (SNP 11876) genes in multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility and in the IFNbeta treatment response in a group of 147 patients and 210 controls undergoing interferon therapy during the last 2 years. Only the 18417 and the 11876 SNPs showed an association with disease susceptibility (p=0.001 and 0.035, respectively) although no differential genotype distribution were observed between interferon responders and non-responder MS patients. No alteration of the expression level of IFNAR-1 was observed with respect to the -408 genotypes or to interferon treatment response. These data suggest a role for the IFNAR pathway in susceptibility to MS.

Published 11 May 2005 in J Neuroimmunol, 163(1): 165-71.
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