A population-based study of IL4 polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis

Orhun H. Kantarci, Janet L. Schaefer-Klein, David D. Hebrink, Sara J. Achenbach, Elizabeth J. Atkinson, Cynthia T. McMurray, Brian G. Weinshenker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested a role for interleukin-4 gene (IL4) in susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as other autoimmune diseases. We screened the promoter region, exons 1-4 and their splice sites for polymorphisms and tested the association between novel polymorphisms E1(33)*C→T and I3(2580)*C→A, and the established 5′(-523)*C→T and I3(709)*VNTR polymorphisms with susceptibility to, age of onset in, and course and severity of MS in sporadic cases. I3(709)*VNTR was associated with susceptibility to MS (p=0.004) due to a dearth of heterozygotes in patients (29/122; 23.8%) compared to controls (91/244; 37.3%). Homozygotes for the uncommon I3(709)*allele-2 may have increased susceptibility (p=0.044; OR=5.17, 95% CI: 0.83-54.95) as might carriers for the extended haplotypes 5′(-523)*T/E1(33)*T/I3(709)*allele-2/I3(2580)*C (p=0.003; OR: 3.75, 95% CI: 1.18-11.93) or 5′(-523)*C/E1(33)*C/I3(709)*allele-1/I3(2580)*A (p=0.004; OR: 4.22, 95% CI: 1.22-14.54). We could not confirm the previously reported association between carriage of I3(709)*allele-2 and older age of onset. However, we found a trend for association between the homozygous state for this allele and older age of onset.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)134-139
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of neuroimmunology
Volume137
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2003

Keywords

  • Interleukin-4
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Polymorphism
  • Prognosis
  • Severity
  • Susceptibility

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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