Serum complement factor H and Tyr402 His gene polymorphism among Egyptians with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. A contribution from complement has long been suspected. We investigated the association of complement factor H (CFH) Tyr402 His gene polymorphism and serum level in Egyptian patients with MS to examine whether complement might identify or predict specific pathological processes and outcomes in MS.

This case-control study was performed during 2013 on MS subjects who attended the Department of Neurology, Cairo University Teaching Hospital.

The study included 86 subjects with MS and 74 healthy controls (HC). They were divided into two sets of patients: we measured serum CFH level in 42 patients and 34 HC, and CFH Tyr402 His gene polymorphism in 44 MS patients and 40 HC. Serum CFH was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Complement factor H Tyr402 His gene polymorphism was detected using polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Serum CFH levels were significantly higher in the MS group and subgroups (P < 0.05) than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in the frequency of CFH Tyr402 His genotypes and alleles between MS patients and healthy controls.

There was evidence that serum CFH level may be associated with disease risk. There was no evidence that CFH Tyr402 His gene polymorphism is associated with disease risk.