title: Associations of HLA DRB1 alleles with IgG oligoclonal bands and their influence on multiple sclerosis course and disability status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oligoclonal bands (OCB) may be associated with the genes of HLA complex, which allows to consider the possible interaction of genetic and immunological factors and its importance in the development and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between HLA DRB1 alleles and oligoclonal bands (OCBs) in the disease course and disability of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study of 120 patients with MS. HLA DRB1 alleles were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction. Matched cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples were analyzed using isoelectric focusing and IgG specific immunofixation to test for the presence of intrathecal specific OCB.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HLA DRB1*08 allele was related to a lower degree of disability. Oligoclonal bands were an independent and significant factor that influenced disability status irrespective of HLA DRB1* 04, *07, *08, *13, *15 and *16 alleles. Age at the onset and duration of the disease were independent and significant factors for MS progression in all logistic regression models with each newly added HLA DRB1 allele. HLA DRB1*08 allele was related to 75% lower odds that relapsing remitting (RR) MS will change to a progressive course MS irrespective of the other factors investigated. Detection of OCBs in the CSF was associated with the higher possibility of RR MS progression in all cases, except when the *08 allele was present.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OCBs had an influence on disability status, while HLA DRB1*08 allele was significantly associated with lower possibility that RR MS will change to progressive course MS.
authors: Department of Neurology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania. Electronic address: renatabalnyte@gmail.com.
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: Balnytė
authors: Department of Neurology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors: Daiva
authors: D
authors: Rastenytė
authors: Department of Neurology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors: Antanas
authors: A
authors: Vaitkus
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Skrodenienė
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors: Astra
authors: A
authors: Vitkauskienė
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors: Ingrida
authors: I
authors: Ulozienė
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands
keywords: Disability; HLA gene allele; Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale; Multiple sclerosis; Oligoclonal bands