PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults. The cause is unknown, but detailed epidemiological and genetic studies have shown a clear inherited component. We review here some of the recent findings of MS genetics with a particular focus on genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies add further complexity to the role of the MHC in MS. Reported MHC associations are complex, involving haplotypes rather than single alleles and may involve epigenetic mechanisms and other modulators of gene expression. MHC class II haplotypes display a hierarchy of risks, including protective effects and epistatic interactions, which together dwarf any non-MHC genetic effect. Genes in the MHC region have been shown to influence disease severity, display parent-of-origin effects and interact with a major environmental candidate for MS, vitamin D. SUMMARY: The MHC class II association with MS is not as straightforward as previously thought. A complete understanding of the epistatic interactions and epigenetic features of this region will be important to understand disease pathogenesis and likely aid the discovery of new therapeutics.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults. The cause is unknown, but detailed epidemiological and genetic studies have shown a clear inherited component. We review here some of the recent findings of MS genetics with a particular focus on genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies add further complexity to the role of the MHC in MS. Reported MHC associations are complex, involving haplotypes rather than single alleles and may involve epigenetic mechanisms and other modulators of gene expression. MHC class II haplotypes display a hierarchy of risks, including protective effects and epistatic interactions, which together dwarf any non-MHC genetic effect. Genes in the MHC region have been shown to influence disease severity, display parent-of-origin effects and interact with a major environmental candidate for MS, vitamin D. SUMMARY: The MHC class II association with MS is not as straightforward as previously thought. A complete understanding of the epistatic interactions and epigenetic features of this region will be important to understand disease pathogenesis and likely aid the discovery of new therapeutics.
Authors: Pierre-Antoine Gourraud; Joseph P McElroy; Stacy J Caillier; Britt A Johnson; Adam Santaniello; Stephen L Hauser; Jorge R Oksenberg Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 2011-01 Impact factor: 10.422
Authors: Marvin M van Luijn; Karim L Kreft; Marlieke L Jongsma; Steven W Mes; Annet F Wierenga-Wolf; Marjan van Meurs; Marie-José Melief; Rik van der Kant; Lennert Janssen; Hans Janssen; Rusung Tan; John J Priatel; Jacques Neefjes; Jon D Laman; Rogier Q Hintzen Journal: Brain Date: 2015-03-29 Impact factor: 13.501
Authors: Antonio Alcina; Sreeram V Ramagopalan; Oscar Fernández; Antonio Catalá-Rabasa; María Fedetz; Dorothy Ndagire; Laura Leyva; Carmen Arnal; Concepción Delgado; Miguel Lucas; Guillermo Izquierdo; George C Ebers; Fuencisla Matesanz Journal: Eur J Hum Genet Date: 2009-11-25 Impact factor: 4.246