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Tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene polymorphisms in children with multiple sclerosis
B Anlar1, M Alikaşifoglu, G Köse
1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. banlar@gen.hun.edu.tr
Neuropediatrics
|September 26, 2001
Summary
This study investigated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene variations in childhood-onset multiple sclerosis (MS). Results indicate no significant association between TNF-alpha polymorphisms and MS susceptibility in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Neuroimmunology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a key cytokine, is implicated in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Childhood-onset MS exhibits distinct clinical and laboratory characteristics compared to adult-onset MS.
- Genetic predisposition to MS may involve variations in cytokine genes, including TNF-alpha.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between specific TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms (-238 G-->A and -308 G-->A) and susceptibility to childhood-onset MS.
- To compare TNF-alpha genotypes and allele frequencies in pediatric MS patients with those in healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was employed to analyze TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms.
- Genotyping was performed on 24 patients with childhood-onset MS and 93 healthy control subjects.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed in the genotype or allele frequencies of TNF-alpha -238 G-->A and -308 G-->A polymorphisms between childhood MS patients and healthy controls.
- Statistical analysis (p=0.348 for -238 and p=0.797 for -308) did not support an association.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support a role for the studied TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms in the susceptibility to childhood-onset MS.
- Larger cohort studies may be warranted to further explore potential genetic links, despite the current negative association.