HLA-DRB*1501 associations with magnetic resonance imaging measures of grey matter pathology in multiple sclerosis
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Updated: Mar 20, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Özgür Yaldizli1, Varun Sethi2, Matteo Pardini3
1Queen Square MS Centre NMR Research Unit, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Background:
The HLA-DRB*1501 haplotype influences the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), but it is not known how it affects grey matter pathology.
Aim:
To assess HLA-DRB(*)1501 effects on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cortical grey matter pathology.
Methods:
Whole and lesional cortical grey matter volumes, lesional and normal-appearing grey matter magnetization transfer ratio were measured in 85 people with MS and 36 healthy control subjects. HLA-DRB(*)1501 haplotype was determined by genotyping (rs3135388).
Results:
No significant differences were observed in MRI measures between the HLA-DRB(*)1501 subgroups.
Conclusions:
The HLA-DRB(*)1501 haplotype is not strongly associated with MRI-visible grey matter pathology.
Insights
The HLA-DRB*1501 haplotype, linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) risk, does not significantly impact MRI-detected grey matter damage in patients. This suggests other factors may drive MS grey matter pathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuroimaging
- Genetics
Background:
- The HLA-DRB*1501 haplotype is a known risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Its specific role in grey matter pathology in MS remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the HLA-DRB*1501 haplotype and cortical grey matter pathology in MS using MRI.
- To quantify effects on grey matter volume and tissue integrity.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure cortical grey matter volumes and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) in 85 MS patients and 36 controls.
- Genotyping for the HLA-DRB*1501 haplotype (rs3135388) was performed.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in whole or lesional cortical grey matter volumes were found between HLA-DRB*1501 positive and negative MS subgroups.
- Lesional and normal-appearing grey matter MTR also showed no significant differences related to the HLA-DRB*1501 haplotype.
Conclusions:
- The HLA-DRB*1501 haplotype does not appear to be a major determinant of MRI-detectable grey matter pathology in multiple sclerosis.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying grey matter damage in MS.
