Clinical behavior of multiple sclerosis is modulated by the MHC class I-chain-related gene A

Tissue Antigens. 2006 May;67(5):409-14. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2006.00593.x.

Abstract

It is well known that certain HLA class II alleles confer an increased risk for developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent studies have suggested HLA class I as a region that may also contribute to the development of MS. In this study, we investigated the association between HLA-DR, HLA-B alleles, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-chain-related gene A (MICA) transmembrane (MICA-TM) polymorphisms and disease progression in 104 MS patients and 116 healthy controls. DR1 was found to be decreased in patients when compared with controls (p(c) = 0.012). Neither HLA-B nor HLA-DR alleles were found to be associated with MS susceptibility. Furthermore, the prevalence of MICA-A5 in patients with relapsing MS was 9% while the prevalence in progressive forms was 42% (p(c) = 0.0015). The extended haplotypes related to MICA-TM5 that were found in our population were DR7-MICA5-B64 (EH 64.1, delta(s) = 0.38), DR4-MICA5-B62 (EH 62.1, delta(s) = 0.28), and DR11-MICA5-B35 (EH35.1, delta(s) = 0.10), but none of them were found to be associated to MS susceptibility or disease progression. Our data could indicate a possible role of MICA-TM in MS prognosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • HLA-B Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-DR1 Antigen / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / genetics*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • HLA-B Antigens
  • HLA-DR1 Antigen
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • MHC class I-related chain A