Multiple sclerosis genes ‘identified’

Scientists claim to have identified more than 30 genes which cause multiple sclerosis.

In a major breakthrough,scientists claim to have identified more than 30 genes which cause multiple sclerosis — an autoimmune neurological disease affecting the brain and spinal cord.

An international team,involving more than 250 experts from as many as 15 countries,and led by Oxford and Cambridge universities,has discovered the major common genetic variants contributing to the cause of MS,the ‘Nature’ journal said.

By scrutinising up to 20 billion genetic clues in the DNA of over 40,000 people,including many with multiple sclerosis,the scientists have identified the genes.

Multiple sclerosis occurs when “friendly fire” from the body’s immune system,destroys myelin,the fatty protective sheath around nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord,disrupting the transmission of signals vital to everything from seeing and walking to thinking and bladder control.

The research reveals the immune system to be central to its development,debunking other theories such as it being caused by a tightening of veins in the brain. It also confirmed the presence of 57 genes with a remarkable pattern showing that the reason some people get MS and others don’t is largely due to subtle,inherited differences in immune function.

The research points to a pivotal role for T cells the “orchestra leaders” of the immune system and makes it clear that MS is primarily an immunologic disease,say the scientists.

“Our assembled cohort of thousands of patients is a huge resource for international research efforts such as this. Our team and colleagues also have the expertise to assist in investigating the significance of this discovery. The next step is rigorous assessment of hundreds of patients to see how these newly identified genes function and contribute to the development of MS. This study has already commenced,” Trevor Kilpatrick of the University of Melbourne,a team member,said.

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Previous research has suggested a link between Vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of multiple sclerosis and the new study has identified a vitamin D gene on chromosome 12,which provides insight into a link between genetic and environmental risk factors.

Team member Prof Graeme Stewart at the University of Sydney said: “Discovering so many new leads is an enormous step towards understanding the cause of MS. Most importantly,for people with MS,these genes also strengthen the case for immunologic treatments currently in clinical trials and point to new therapeutic approaches.”

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multiple sclerosis