title: FcRL3 and multiple sclerosis pathogenesis: role in autoimmunity?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A functional promoter polymorphism in the FcRL3 gene, -169 T/C, has been shown to regulate gene expression and to play a role in several autoimmune diseases. We aimed at testing for the first time whether this gene was involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study performed with 400 Spanish MS patients and 508 healthy subjects. Genotyping of -169 T/C and -110 G/A was ascertained by using TaqMan MGB chemistry following manufacturer suggestions (Applied Biosystems, CA, USA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  As previously seen for other autoimmune diseases, a significant difference was observed in the distribution of -169 T/C FcRL3 genotypes between MS patients and healthy controls (p = 0.03; chi(2) = 6.99). The -169 T allele, recently associated with increased susceptibility to Addison's disease, showed a parallel effect in MS [(TT+TC) vs. CC: p = 0.013; OR = 1.55 (1.08-2.54)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An increased susceptibility associated to the -169 T allele was found when MS patients and controls were compared, supporting the role of the FcRL3 locus in MS predisposition and therefore extending the evidence of its general influence on autoimmunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mas
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: de Las Heras
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bartolomé
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arroyo
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández-Arquero
authors.forename: Emilio G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: de la Concha
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Urcelay
mesh_terms: D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: C457775:FCRL3 protein, human; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic