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Role of the HLA system in the association between multiple sclerosis and infectious mononucleosis

Sreeram V Ramagopalan1, Ute C Meier, Margaret Conacher

  • 1Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, England, UK.

Archives of Neurology
|April 13, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations were investigated for infectious mononucleosis (IM) and multiple sclerosis (MS). HLA-DRB1*01:01 protects against MS, indicating no shared genetic basis between IM and MS.

Area of Science:

  • Immunogenetics
  • Viral Immunology
  • Neuroimmunology

Background:

  • Infectious mononucleosis (IM), caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and multiple sclerosis (MS) are immune-mediated conditions.
  • Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes play a critical role in immune responses and are associated with various diseases.
  • Investigating shared HLA associations could elucidate common pathogenic mechanisms or protective factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if common HLA associations exist between infectious mononucleosis (IM) and multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • To explore the role of specific HLA alleles in the development and course of IM.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study involving 179 individuals with asymptomatic EBV seroconversion and 175 patients diagnosed with IM.
  • Genotyping was performed for five classical HLA loci: HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DQB1.
  • Analysis focused on allele frequencies and their association with IM diagnosis and EBV viral load.

Main Results:

  • The HLA-DRB1*01:01 allele was significantly associated with the development of IM (OR, 3.2; P < .001).
  • Individuals with IM and the HLA-DRB1*01:01 allele exhibited lower EBV viral loads compared to those without the allele (median 783 vs 7366 copies/10^6 PBMCs; P = .03).

Conclusions:

  • The HLA-DRB1*01:01 allele is protective against the development of multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • These findings do not support a common genetic basis between infectious mononucleosis (IM) and multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • HLA-DRB1*01:01 may influence EBV viral load, impacting IM development.
Abstract

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