August 4, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS X Chromosome Gene Variations Tied to 20 Times Higher MS Risk in Women Variations in more than a dozen genes on the sex-determining X chromosome are more common among those with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in the general population, according to an analysis of nearly 500,000 people in the U.K. Many of these genes are known to play roles in biological processes…
April 14, 2021 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD WNT9B Genetic Variant Linked to Increased Relapse Risk A genetic variant in the WNT9B gene and vitamin D response are both associated with a greater risk of relapses in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a recent study in Belgium has found. The study, āGenetic variation inĀ WNT9BĀ increases relapse hazard in multiple sclerosis,ā was published in the journal…
February 5, 2019 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Genetic Variants in Inflammasome Genes Influence MS Severity, Progression, Study Suggests Genetic variants that enhance the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome or the interleukin-1 beta cytokine are linked to higher severity and progression of multiple sclerosis, a study suggests. Previous studies with mouse models of MS have shown that a complex of innate immune system receptors and sensors, known as the inflammasome, is likely a player promoting the immune systemās attack on the central nervous system in MS and, consequently, the loss of myelin. Follow-up studies showed that people carrying mutations that enhance the function of the NLRP3 inflammasome ā one of the three components of the inflammasome complex ā had a worse prognosis, once again supporting the role of the inflammasome in MS. Once activated, the inflammasome triggers an enzyme called caspase-1 that promotes the production of two very powerful proinflammatory cytokines called interleukin (IL)-1 betaĀ and IL-18. To further evaluate the role of the inflammasome in MS, a team led by researchers at the Universidade de Sao Paulo in Brazil analyzed the genetic sequence of five inflammasome genesĀ ā NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, IL-1 beta, and IL-18 ā in blood samples retrieved from 264 patients diagnosed with MS or other demyelinating diseases. They also analyzed 233 healthy individuals used as controls. The team specifically looked at eight variations in certain nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA), called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Previous studies reported a link between SNPs in inflammasome-related genes and certain forms of MS. Results showed that SNPs associated with low serum levels of IL-18 were significantly less frequent in MS patients than in controls. In contrast, variants that enhance the function of NLRP3 and IL-1 beta were associated with severity and progression of MS, as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale. These results suggest that the "activation of NLRP3 inflammasome could represent a risk factor for MS clinical presentation,ā the researchers wrote. A particular variant in the NLRC4Ā gene was less frequent in patients whose disease progressed rapidly compared with those who had a slower disease, an intriguing observation, according to researchers, suggestive of a āprotection effect of this variant against a bad prognosis.ā Carriers of this variant also responded better to treatment with interferon-beta. Regarding MS type, the genetic variant that promotes the function of theĀ IL-1 beta gene was significantly more frequent in progressive forms of MS than in relapsing-remittingĀ MS, strengthening once again the negative effects of IL-1 beta in the disease. An analysis of inflammasome activity in blood monocytes, a group of immune cells, showed that the inflammasome is permanently activated in MS compared with healthy controls. "This study emphasizes that a constitutive activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, principally through IL-1 beta production, represents a risk factor for both the development of MS and the progression to severe forms of the disease. On the other hand, low IL-18 production and/or NLRC4 activation were beneficial for MS patients,ā the team concluded.
February 7, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Natural Variations in Interleukin-16 Gene Linked to MS Risk in Small Study Small natural variations within the DNA sequence of the gene for interleukin-16 (IL-16) wereĀ linked toĀ anĀ increased susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) in a small group of Iranian patients. The study, āThe Association of Interleukin-16 Gene Polymorphisms with IL-16 Serum Levels and Risk of Multiple Sclerosis,ā was published in…
July 1, 2016 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Childhood Obesity Linked to Higher Risk of Multiple Sclerosis, Possibly by Altering Vitamin D Levels Obese children and young adults appear toĀ be at a considerably higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to researchers at the McGill University in Canada and collaborators at the University of BristolĀ in the U.K., who found a causal relationship between the two. Their study, “…
August 31, 2015 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD MS Susceptibility May be Influenced by Female-Specific Variations in MicroRNAs-Coding Genes In a new study entitled āVariants of MicroRNA Genes: Gender-Specific Associations with Multiple Sclerosis Risk and Severity,ā researchersĀ identified variations in genes coding for microRNAs that influence patients’ susceptibility to develop multiple sclerosis, as well as the disease course. Most importantly, these variations were gender specific, identified only…