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Polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E; outcome and susceptibility in multiple sclerosis
S J Weatherby1, C L Mann, M B Davies
1Centre for Molecular and Cell Medicine, Postgraduate Medical School, Keele University, Royal Infirmary, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|March 1, 2000
Summary
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene variants do not appear to influence multiple sclerosis susceptibility or disease progression. This study found no significant link between APOE genotypes and clinical outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurogenetics
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- Allelic variants of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene are implicated in various neurological diseases.
- Reduced APOE concentration and intrathecal synthesis are observed in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- The APOE epsilon4 allele has been suggested to correlate with a more aggressive MS disease course.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene allelism and the clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To determine if APOE genotype influences disease susceptibility, onset, or severity in a large cohort of MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of the APOE gene was performed in 370 unrelated Caucasian patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis and 159 healthy controls.
- Data collected included age at onset, sex, disease duration, and disease subtype.
- Disability was assessed using the Kurtzke expanded disability status score for patients with disease duration of 10 years or more.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in APOE allele or genotype frequencies were observed between MS patients and controls, across disease subtypes, or between genders.
- APOE genotype did not significantly affect the age of onset.
- No significant relationship was found between APOE genotype, allele frequency, and multiple sclerosis disease severity.
Conclusions:
- Individual APOE alleles or genotypes do not appear to determine susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.
- APOE allelism does not significantly influence the clinical course or severity of multiple sclerosis.