title: The HLA locus and multiple sclerosis in Spain. Role in disease susceptibility, clinical course and response to interferon-beta.
abstract: The HLA-DR2 haplotype (DRB1*1501, DQB1*0602) on chromosome 6p21 has consistently demonstrated both association and linkage with multiple sclerosis (MS) in case-control and family studies, particularly in Caucasians of Northern European descent. However, the role of a gene within this region in determining clinical features or response to immunotherapy remains largely unknown. A new familial MS data set from the Mediterranean Spanish Basin was collected according to rigorous ascertainment criteria. We confirm, primarily in the cohort originating from Continental Spain, that similar to other high-risk groups, there was a significant association with HLA-DR2. No other DR or DQ alleles were found to be associated with disease susceptibility nor were alleles at the class I A and B loci. Overall, the effect of HLA appears to be less substantial than that observed in a reference US population with a higher disease incidence. No effect of the HLA-DR2 haplotype on age of onset, initial clinical symptoms and disease course was observed. Similarly, no difference in the distribution of responders and nonresponders to interferon-beta (IFNB) therapy, as defined by primary and secondary end points, was observed when individuals were stratified according to HLA-DR2 status.
authors.affiliation: Neuroimmunology Unit, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Villoslada
authors.forename: Lisa F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Barcellos
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rio
authors.forename: Ann B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Begovich
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tintore
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sastre-Garriga
authors.forename: Sergio E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Baranzini
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Casquero
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Montalban
authors.forename: Jorge R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Oksenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D002896:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 / Q000235:genetics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D015802:HLA-DR2 Antigen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D015802:HLA-DR2 Antigen; D016899:Interferon-beta