title: CD24 gene allele variation is not associated with oligoclonal IgG bands and IgG index of multiple sclerosis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) shows evidence of many distinctive aspects of an autoimmune disorder, including a polygenic inheritance. A recent candidate gene for susceptibility to MS is CD24, which has also been shown to be associated with disease progression. This study was designed to examine whether there is a relationship between the CD24 genotype, oligoclonal band (OCB) status and IgG index in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 27 definite MS patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected from a peripheral vein, and CSF was obtained by lumbar puncture. The CD24 gene was sequenced in the blood specimen, and albumin and IgG concentrations were measured in both CSF and serum. We compared both IgG index and OCB status in patients with and without CD24V/V. The correlation between MS severity score (MSSS), OCB status, CD24 genotype and IgG index was studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 15 patients were OCB positive. Among patients with negative OCBs, only 2 patients had the V/V genotype. Furthermore, in those with the V/V genotype, IgG index was not significantly elevated (p = 0.322). Patients with the V/V genotype had a significantly higher MSSS (p = 0. 04), but neither the presence of OCBs nor the IgG index showed significant correlation with MSSS (p = 0.379 and 0.20, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We could not show any relationship between the CD24V/V genotype, OCB status and IgG index. This could be interpreted as indicating that the CD24V/V allele exerts its effects on the disease course independently of CSF IgG synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. mosaadatnia@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saadatnia
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Najafi
authors.forename: Faride
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Najafi
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Davoudi
authors.forename: Kiandokht
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keyhanian
authors.forename: Amir Hadi
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Maghzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D051927:CD24 Antigen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051927:CD24 Antigen; C497889:CD24 protein, human; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands