The role of VLA4 polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis: An association study

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology Vol. 189; no. 1; pp. 125 - 128
• Main Authors: Andreoli, V, Cittadella, R, Valentino, P, Condino, F, La Russa, A, Liguori, M, Manna, I, Spadafora, P, Nisticò, R, Pirritano, D, Clodomiro, A, Quattrone, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.09.2007
• Subjects: Adult; Alleles; Allergy and Immunology; Association study; Case-Control Studies; Female; Gene Frequency; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic susceptibility; Humans; Integrin alpha4beta1 - genetics; Italy - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - genetics; Neurology; Polymorphism, Genetic - genetics; VLA-4 polymorphisms; α4 integrin; Italy; α4 integrin; Association study; Multiple sclerosis; VLA-4 polymorphisms; Genetic susceptibility
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2007.06.015

Abstract Lymphocyte and monocyte brain infiltration determines inflammation in multiple sclerosis. The trafficking of these cells into the CNS results from the VLA-4 binding with its ligand on brain endothelial cells. MS patients treated with an antibody against the alpha-4 subunit, which inhibits this interaction, prevents brain lesion development. We investigated the association between VLA-4 gene polymorphisms and MS in a study on 275 patients and 255 controls. No differences were detected, thus suggesting that these polymorphisms are not a significant genetic risk factor for susceptibility to MS in Italy.