Abstract
A minisatellite polymorphism located in the 3′ flanking region of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene was analysed in 192 Sardinian simplex families with multiple sclerosis (MS). By applying a high-resolution sizing approach, 9 alleles were identified. None of these were associated with in globo susceptibility to MS as shown by transmission disequilibrium testing. Analysis of clinically different groups showed that the A5 allele was associated with a benign (P = 0.007) but not with a malignant (P = 0.45) course of disease. In particular, the frequency of the A5/A5 genotype was significantly higher in patients with benign MS (P = 0.002). In addition, carriage of any of the larger alleles (A6 → A9) was associated with accelerated onset of disease (P = 0.025). Our results suggest that allelic variations in the IL-6 gene may predispose to alterations in the course and initial onset of MS.
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Work on cytokine gene polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis at the Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Belgium, is supported by European Commission Grant BMH-CT096 for MS research, the Belgian Charcot Foundation, the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO-Vlaanderen), the GOA Initiative of the Flanders Government and the Foundation WOMS (Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Multiple Sclerose). An Goris holds a fellowship of the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO-Vlaanderen).
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Vandenbroeck, K., Fiten, P., Ronsse, I. et al. High-resolution analysis of IL-6 minisatellite polymorphism in Sardinian multiple sclerosis: effect on course and onset of disease. Genes Immun 1, 460–463 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gene.6363706
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gene.6363706