Influence of HLA on progression of optic neuritis to multiple sclerosis: results of a four-year follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
Genetic predisposition in multiple sclerosis (MS) has always been a critical concern in aetiology and progress of the disease. The present study looks into the relations between human leukocyte antigen (HLA), optic neuritis (ON) and MS in the Iranian population.


METHODS
Patients with potential diagnosis of acute ON underwent a standardized clinical examination for confirming the diagnosis. Selected patients were gathered for HLA typing and clinical follow up.


RESULTS
Of the 55 patients, 46 (83.6%) were female. The mean age was 25(+/-7.3) with a range of 12-43. Twenty of the 55 (36%) were confirmed for the diagnosis of clinically definite MS (CDMS). Results show that A23, B21, A11 and B51 alleles were present in 4 (20%), 6 (30%), 2 (10%) and 1 (5%) of the CDMS patients, respectively. Ten (50%) and 17 (85%) CDMS patients were positive for HLA class II alleles, DR2 and DQ1, correspondingly.


CONCLUSIONS
The study strongly suggests the association among DR2, A23 and B21 allele and the evolution of ON to MS. High prevalence of A23 and DR2 alleles in CDMS patients compared with the normal population may suggest an important role for these alleles in the development of MS. The study suggests B51 as a protective factor against development of ON in the normal population. In addition, results do not confirm previous studies considering A11 as a predisposing factor. The present study finally evokes that different classes of HLA have different roles in susceptibility to MS and confirms disease heterogeneity as an important emerging concept in MS.
Option of Bioengineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. arashkh@caltech.edu
Arash
A
Kheradvar
Abdol Reza
AR
Tabassi
Behrouz
B
Nikbin
Farideh
F
Khosravi
Mehrnaz
M
Naroueynejad
Batool
B
Moradi
Ali Akbar
AA
Amirzargar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors
D006680:HLA Antigens