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Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
HERV-K113 is not associated with multiple sclerosis in a large family-based study
David L Moyes1, An Goris, Maria Ban
1The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Imperial College, London, London W6 8LH, England.
AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
|March 11, 2008
Summary
This study investigated human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers found no significant association between the HERV-K113 allele and MS, suggesting it is not a primary cause of the disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Retroviral Research
- Human Genetics
Background:
- Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
- Polymorphic HERVs, like HERV-K113, are potential etiological candidates due to their variable population prevalence.
- HERV-K113 exhibits functional genes and population-specific distribution, warranting investigation in MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the HERV-K113 allele is associated with multiple sclerosis.
- To assess the prevalence of HERV-K113 in MS patients compared to unaffected controls.
Main Methods:
- Genomic DNA from 951 MS patients and 1902 unaffected parents was analyzed using PCR.
- The presence of the HERV-K113 provirus allele was detected in both patient and control groups.
- Allele frequencies were compared between MS patients and their parents to control for population stratification.
Main Results:
- HERV-K113 provirus was detected in 7.36% of MS patients.
- The prevalence in the control parent group was 6.52%, showing no statistically significant increase in MS patients.
- The findings do not support a direct association between HERV-K113 and multiple sclerosis.
Conclusions:
- The HERV-K113 allele is not significantly associated with multiple sclerosis in the studied cohort.
- This research underscores the importance of large, geographically and racially controlled cohorts for studying polymorphic HERVs in disease.
- Further research into other HERV elements may be necessary to elucidate their role in MS etiology.
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