title: [Immunogenetics of multiple sclerosis].
abstract: The interaction between environmental factors and genetic susceptibility causes multiple sclerosis. In some ethnic groups this disease is rare. The family incidence varies from 6 to 12%. Analysis of twins shows a concordance two fold higher in homozygous twins. The transmission of such a genetic susceptibility cannot be explained by means of an usual genetical model. In Caucasoids, an association exists between MS and HLA A3, B7 and DR2 antigens. However this association is not always found and can be different from one population to another one. The mechanisms of the association are unknown: either the HLA haplotype supports the disease susceptibility but family segregation studies are unconvincing, or this susceptibility is due to the interaction of several genic complexes, a few of which linked to HLA region. An etiological heterogeneity of MS has also been suggested.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clanet
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cambon-Thomsen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rascol
mesh_terms: D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005006:Ethnicity; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens
vernacular_title: Immunogénétique de la sclérose en plaques.