Cytokine gene polymorphism in multiple sclerosis in a hellenic population

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, complex, autoimmune, demyelinating disease that affects the Central Nervous System. Cytokine gene polymorhism according to the latest studies, may be considered as an important prognostic indicator in a vast number of autoimmune diseases.

Materials and methods

We investigated 13 cytokine gene polymorphisms in 40 M/S patients and 104 healthy control group. From those 40 patients, 20(group I) were presented with relapsing-remitting type of the disease and the other 20 (group II) with secondary progressive type. Cytokine gene polymorhism was determined by using the PCR-SSP method (Invitrogen, Dynal, Wisconsin, USA).

Results

IL 1a - 889C/T genotype was more frequent in group I patients in comparison to group II (80% vs 40%, p<0,001). IL-2-330/+166 TG/TT and TNFa -308/-238 GG/AG genotypes were also statistically more frequent in group I than in group II (40% vs 10%, p<0,0001 and 50% vs 20%, p<0,001). IL1a -889 C/C genotype and IL4Ra +1902 A/A genotype were found more frequently in group II than in group I patients (60% vs 20%, p<0,001 and 80% vs 50%, p<0,0001).

Conclusions

These preliminary results of the present study suggest that gene polymorphism of the above cytokine may play a significant role in M/S patients evaluation and prognosis.