The role of VLA4 polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis: an association study.
Lymphocyte and monocyte brain infiltration determines inflammation in multiple sclerosis. The trafficking of these cells into the CNS results from the VLA-4 binding with its ligand on brain endothelial cells. MS patients treated with an antibody against the alpha-4 subunit, which inhibits this interaction, prevents brain lesion development. We investigated the association between VLA-4 gene polymorphisms and MS in a study on 275 patients and 255 controls. No differences were detected, thus suggesting that these polymorphisms are not a significant genetic risk factor for susceptibility to MS in Italy.
Andreoli
V
V
Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, Piano Lago di Mangone, Cosenza, Italy. v.andreoli@isn.cnr.it
Cittadella
R
R
Valentino
P
P
Condino
F
F
La Russa
A
A
Liguori
M
M
Manna
I
I
Spadafora
P
P
Nisticò
R
R
Pirritano
D
D
Clodomiro
A
A
Quattrone
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1 / Q000235:genetics*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1