Analysis of polymorphisms in RIG-I-like receptor genes in German multiple sclerosis patients
Alexander Varzari1, Kathrin Bruch2, Igor V Deyneko3
1Laboratory of Human Genetics, Institute of Phthisiopneumology, Kishinev, Republic of Moldova; Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
Abstract:
Variation in genes encoding retinoid acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. We investigated if polymorphisms in the IFIH1, RIG-I, LGP2 and VISA genes influence the risk for multiple sclerosis (MS) in a German case-control cohort comprising 716 patients and 706 controls. Evaluation of 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the four genes did not reveal significant single-SNP associations with MS risk, but two VISA polymorphisms were modestly associated with age of onset. Further, we provide initial evidence for combinatorial effects of polymorphic variants in the RIG-I, LGP2 and IFIH1 genes on MS risk.
