HLA-DRB1 and tumor necrosis factor gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 1998 Dec 1;92(1-2):109-12. doi: 10.1016/s0165-5728(98)00189-1.

Abstract

We studied genetic polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) region as well as HLA-DRB1 of 42 patients with Western-type multiple sclerosis (MS) and 38 with Asian-type MS in Japan. The sex ratio (Female:Male) was significantly higher in Asian than in Western type MS (3.8 vs. 1.3, P = 0.038). The frequency of HLA-DRB1 * 1501 allele in the Western-type MS group increased significantly compared with the control group, while Asian-type MS and control groups showed similar distribution in the frequencies of HLA-DRB1 alleles. No significant differences existed in the TNF region, however, including TNF-a microsatellite alleles. The results suggest that MS in Asians may present two different clinical and immunogenetic manifestations.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • HLA-DR Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha / genetics
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Repeats
  • Multiple Sclerosis / genetics*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Reference Values
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics*

Substances

  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha