RANTES: a genetic risk marker for multiple sclerosis

Mult Scler. 2004 Oct;10(5):536-9. doi: 10.1191/1352458504ms1080oa.

Abstract

Regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) is a beta-chemokine and has been detected in brain lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Considering its potential role in MS, we screened two functional polymorphisms in the proximal promoter region of the RANTES in MS patients versus controls.

Methods: We examined 140 postmortem brain samples from subjects with a primary diagnosis of MS, and peripheral blood samples from 216 control subjects. The RANTES-28C/G and -403G/A promoter polymorphisms were examined. All subjects were non-Hispanic Caucasians.

Results: MS cases differed from controls showing a significant association with the 403G/A polymorphism (odds ratio, 2.359, [1.465-3.799]; P=0.0001), but not the -28C/G (P=NS) polymorphism. There was a significant association of the -28G allele with both early onset (P=0.031) and longer survival (P=0.006).

Conclusion: There is a significant but complex association of the RANTES gene with MS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chemokine CCL5 / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / epidemiology
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / epidemiology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Chemokine CCL5
  • Genetic Markers