Association of polymorphisms in CTLA-4, IL-1ra and IL-1β genes with multiple sclerosis in Serbian population

We have investigated separate as well as combined influence of IL-1 beta TaqI, IL-1ra VNTR and CTLA-4 +49 A/G polymorphisms on susceptibility, clinical course and progression of MS in 162 Serbian patients. We found significant independent relative risk for MS susceptibility in noncarriers of IL-Ira allele 2 (OR=2.2, CI= 1.3-3.7, p=0.003) and CTLA-4 +49 AA genotype (OR=2.0, CI=1.2-3.5, p=0.01) as well as their combined effect (OR=4.4, CI=2.0-9.7, p=0.0003). Our result supports the significant and combined effect of IL-1ra VNTR and CTLA-4 polymorphisms on MS justifying the need for further haplotype analysis in different populations. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.