Guest guest Posted May 14, 2006 Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 MS is predominantly modulated by the MHC, latest findings in genetic research http://jpma.org.pk/jpma/01jan06/fulltex16.htm Haines, a world renowned Geneticist presented the findings of the International Multiple Sclerosis Consortium (IMSC) of a genome-wide linkage scan on affected relative pairs (ARP) (such as siblings with MS) to locate regions of the genome likely to harbor MS genes.1 Previously two linkage scans had identified a region in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) viz HLA DRB1*1501.2,3 On the basis of concerns about the quality of genotyping data IMSC re-screened the largest sample of ARPs to date (n=730) with the Illumina bead array linkage mapping panel which provides 99.5% genotyping efficiency and uses a carefully selected map of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) as markers. The results were shocking. For a disease with a sibling relative risk of 15-40 this high quality, powerful linkage scan could only find a single major locus on chromosome 6p (MHC). Three other minor loci were found on chromosomes 17, 5 and 19. Keeping this finding in view it seems that MS is predominantly modulated by the MHC. 1. Sawcer. International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium. A high-density screen for linkage in multiple sclerosis. Am J Hum Genet. 2005;77:454-67. Epub 2005 Jul 29. 2. Haines. A complete genomic screen for multiple sclerosis underscores a role for the major histocompatability complex. The Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Group. Nat Genet. 1996;13:469-71. 3. Sawcer. A genome screen in multiple sclerosis reveals susceptibility loci on chromosome 6p21 and 17q22. Nat Genet. 1996;13:464-8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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