Genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis in Sardinians: an immunological study.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the in vitro production of variably MS-related cytokines from Sardinian MS and healthy donors bearing the two "Sardinian" MS-associated HLA-DR alleles: DR3 and DR4, with the purpose to evidentiate possible differences in their immune response.


METHODS
ELISA were used for detection of cellular products by mitogen-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.


RESULTS
PHA-activated HLA-DR4+/DR3- mononuclear cells produce significantly higher amounts of TNF-alpha compared with the DR3+/DR4-. In addition, homozygous HLA-DR3+ mononuclear cells from MS patients produce significantly lower amounts of IL-10 than those from homozygous HLA-DR3+ healthy donors.


CONCLUSIONS
The abnormal production of detrimental or regulatory cytokines may account for the genetic susceptibility to MS in different HLA-subgroups of Sardinian MS patients.
Sotgiu
S
S
Institute of Clinical Neurology, University of Sassari, Italy.
Serra
C
C
Marrosu
M G
MG
Dolei
A
A
Pugliatti
M
M
Murgia
B
B
Aiello
I
I
Rosati
G
G
D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens