RANTES: a genetic risk marker for multiple sclerosis.
Regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) is a beta-chemokine and has been detected in brain lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Considering its potential role in MS, we screened two functional polymorphisms in the proximal promoter region of the RANTES in MS patients versus controls.


METHODS
We examined 140 postmortem brain samples from subjects with a primary diagnosis of MS, and peripheral blood samples from 216 control subjects. The RANTES-28C/G and -403G/A promoter polymorphisms were examined. All subjects were non-Hispanic Caucasians.


RESULTS
MS cases differed from controls showing a significant association with the 403G/A polymorphism (odds ratio, 2.359, [1.465-3.799]; P=0.0001), but not the -28C/G (P=NS) polymorphism. There was a significant association of the -28G allele with both early onset (P=0.031) and longer survival (P=0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a significant but complex association of the RANTES gene with MS.
Genetic Research Institute of the Desert, Eisenhower Medical Center, Probst # 308, 39000 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270, USA. randavolu@gridonline.org
Radhika
R
Gade-Andavolu
David E
DE
Comings
James
J
MacMurray
Ravi K
RK
Vuthoori
Wallace W
WW
Tourtellotte
Rashed M
RM
Nagra
Lawrence A
LA
Cone
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors
D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D005819:Genetic Markers