1
|
Dutta T, Sengupta S, Adhya S, Saha A, Sengupta D, Mondal R, Naskar S, Bhattacharjee S, Sengupta M. Identification of TNF-α as Major Susceptible Risk Locus for Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study in the Asian Population. Dermatology 2024; 240:376-386. [PMID: 38377977 DOI: 10.1159/000536480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vitiligo is a common depigmentation disorder characterized by defined white patches on the skin and affecting around 0.5% to 2% of the general population. Genetic association studies have identified several pre-disposing genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for vitiligo pathogenesis; nonetheless, the reports are often conflicting and rarely conclusive. This comprehensive meta-analysis study was designed to evaluate the effect of the risk variants on vitiligo aetiology and covariate stratified vitiligo risk in the Asian population, considering all the studies published so far. METHODS We followed a systematic and comprehensive search to identify the relevant vitiligo-related candidate gene association studies in PubMed using specific keywords. After data extraction, we calculated, for the variants involved, the study-level unadjusted odds ratio, standard errors, and 95% confidence intervals by using logistic regression with additive, dominant effect, and recessive models using R software package (R, 3.4.2) "metafor." Subgroup analysis was performed using logistic regression (generalized linear model; "glm") of disease status on subgroup-specific genotype counts. For a better understanding of the likely biological function of vitiligo-associated variant obtained through the meta-analysis, in silico functional analyses, through standard publicly available web tools, were also conducted. RESULTS Thirty-one vitiligo-associated case-control studies on eleven SNPs were analysed in our study. In the fixed-effect meta-analysis, one variant upstream of TNF-α gene: rs1800629 was found to be associated with vitiligo risk in the additive (p = 4.26E-06), dominant (p = 1.65E-7), and recessive (p = 0.000453) models. After Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction, rs1800629/TNF-α was found to be significant at 5% FDR in the dominant (padj = 1.82E-6) and recessive models (padj = 0.0049). In silico characterization revealed the prioritized variant to be regulatory in nature and thus having potential to contribute towards vitiligo pathogenesis. CONCLUSION Our study constitutes the first comprehensive meta-analysis of candidate gene-based association studies reported in the whole of the Asian population, followed by an in silico analysis of the vitiligo-associated variant. According to the findings of our study, TNF-α single nucleotide variant rs1800629G>A has a risk association, potentially contributing to vitiligo pathogenesis in the Asian population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tithi Dutta
- Department of Genetics, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Suchismita Adhya
- Department of Microbiology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Arpan Saha
- Department of Genetics, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Ritisri Mondal
- Department of Genetics, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Swarnadru Naskar
- Department of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | | | - Mainak Sengupta
- Department of Genetics, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human lymphotropic herpesvirus with a well-established causal role in several cancers. Recent studies have provided compelling epidemiological and mechanistic evidence for a causal role of EBV in multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system and is thought to be triggered in genetically predisposed individuals by an infectious agent, with EBV as the lead candidate. How a ubiquitous virus that typically leads to benign latent infections can promote cancer and autoimmune disease in at-risk populations is not fully understood. Here we review the evidence that EBV is a causal agent for MS and how various risk factors may affect EBV infection and immune control. We focus on EBV contributing to MS through reprogramming of latently infected B lymphocytes and the chronic presentation of viral antigens as a potential source of autoreactivity through molecular mimicry. We consider how knowledge of EBV-associated cancers may be instructive for understanding the role of EBV in MS and discuss the potential for therapies that target EBV to treat MS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha S. Soldan
- grid.251075.40000 0001 1956 6678The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Paul M. Lieberman
- grid.251075.40000 0001 1956 6678The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
The analysis of a subset of HLA region associations in type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis suggests the involvement mechanisms other than antigen presentation in the pathogenesis. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
|
4
|
Ding X, Cai M, Wang S, Yang Q, Zheng X, Zuo X, Liu S. Gene-based association analysis identified a novel gene associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Hum Genet 2021; 85:213-220. [PMID: 34145571 DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with strong genetic predisposition. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of SLE have identified more than 50 robust susceptibility loci. However, traditional individual SNP-based GWAS have made it difficult to identify variants with small effects. Moreover, variants revealed by GWAS only explain a limited disease heritability, suggesting that many susceptibility genes remain uncovered. METHODS We first curated the published SLE GWAS data from 1047 SLE patients and 1205 healthy controls of Chinese ancestry and performed a gene-based association study. Then quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to verify novel genes identified above. RESULTS Gene-based association study identified 10 SLE-associated genes, nine of which were reported by previous GWAS, the other one, ILRUN, is a newly identified gene and was further validated by qRT-PCR. Gene expression analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets also showed that the expression of ILRUN in patients with SLE was lower than that in normal subjects. CONCLUSION In this study, gene-based association study and qRT-PCR identified that ILRUN is a novel susceptibility gene of SLE. ILRUN may regulate inflammation and antiviral response through its effect on the transcription of type I interferons )I-IFN, and participate in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xian Ding
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Minglong Cai
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Sun Wang
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Qingqing Yang
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaodong Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Xianbo Zuo
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Shengxiu Liu
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
The Relationship of the Mechanisms of the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis and the Expression of Endogenous Retroviruses. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9120464. [PMID: 33322628 PMCID: PMC7764762 DOI: 10.3390/biology9120464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, develops at an early age and often leads to a disability. The etiological cause of the disease has not been fully elucidated, and as a result, no effective treatment is available. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the relationship between the expression of human endogenous retroviruses and the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. The epigenetic mechanisms of transcriptional regulation, the role of transcription factors, cytokines, and exogenous viruses are also addressed in this review. The elucidation of the mechanisms of an increase in endogenous retrovirus expression in multiple sclerosis could help to develop therapeutic strategies and novel methods for early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Abstract Two human endogenous retroviruses of the HERV-W family can act as cofactors triggering multiple sclerosis (MS): MS-associated retrovirus (MSRV) and ERVWE1. Endogenous retroviral elements are believed to have integrated in our ancestors’ DNA millions of years ago. Their involvement in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including neurodegenerative pathologies, has been demonstrated. Numerous studies have shown a correlation between the deterioration of patients’ health and increased expression of endogenous retroviruses. The exact causes and mechanisms of endogenous retroviruses activation remains unknown, which hampers development of therapeutics. In this review, we will summarize the main characteristics of human endogenous W retroviruses and describe the putative mechanisms of activation, including epigenetic mechanisms, humoral factors as well as the role of the exogenous viral infections.
Collapse
|
6
|
Ghavimi R, Alsahebfosoul F, Salehi R, Kazemi M, Etemadifar M, Zavaran Hosseini A. High-resolution melting curve analysis of polymorphisms within CD58, CD226, HLA-G genes and association with multiple sclerosis susceptibility in a subset of Iranian population: a case-control study. Acta Neurol Belg 2020; 120:645-652. [PMID: 30128676 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-018-0992-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with unknown etiology, which typically is manifested in early to middle adulthood. Recently, genome-wide association studies have identified susceptibility of immune-related genes to be involved in MS predisposition. The goal of the current study was to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with the immunologically related genes responsible for the disease, composed of CD58 (rs2300747 A>G), CD226 (rs763361 C>T), and HLA-G (rs1611715 A>C), with MS susceptibility. In this case-control study, a total of 200 patients suffering from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and 200 healthy individuals were recruited. DNA was extracted from blood and then all subjects were genotyped for the polymorphism within mentioned genes by high-resolution melting (HRM) real-time PCR method. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 20; SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Our finding showed that there are significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies between two groups regarding rs763361 (P = 0.035, OR 0.64, CI 95% for C allele) and rs1611715 (P = 0.038, OR 1.57, CI 95% for AA genotype) polymorphisms within CD226 and HLA-G genes, respectively. Concerning rs2300747 polymorphism on CD58 gene, no significant differences were found between cases and controls. In general, results from the current study indicate that CD226 and HLA-G, but not CD58 genetic polymorphisms are associated with increased risk of MS in Isfahan population similar to European populations. However, to elucidate how these SNPs contribute to MS pathogenesis, functional studies are needed.
Collapse
|
7
|
Soldan SS, Lieberman PM. Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in the Development of Neurological Disorders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 32:35-52. [PMID: 33897799 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddmod.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human herpesvirus that contributes to the etiology of diverse human cancers and auto-immune diseases. EBV establishes a relatively benign, long-term latent infection in over 90 percent of the adult population. Yet, it also increases risk for certain cancers and auto-immune disorders depending on complex viral, host, and environmental factors that are only partly understood. EBV latent infection is found predominantly in memory B-cells, but the natural infection cycle and pathological aberrations enable EBV to infect numerous other cell types, including oral, nasopharyngeal, and gastric epithelia, B-, T-, and NK-lymphoid cells, myocytes, adipocytes, astrocytes, and neurons. EBV infected cells, free virus, and gene products can also be found in the CNS. In addition to the direct effects of EBV on infected cells and tissue, the effect of chronic EBV infection on the immune system is also thought to contribute to pathogenesis, especially auto-immune disease. Here, we review properties of EBV infection that may shed light on its potential pathogenic role in neurological disorders.
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang W, Li J, Guo Y, Zhang L, Xu L, Gao X, Zhu B, Gao H, Ni H, Chen Y. Multi-strategy genome-wide association studies identify the DCAF16-NCAPG region as a susceptibility locus for average daily gain in cattle. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38073. [PMID: 27892541 PMCID: PMC5125095 DOI: 10.1038/srep38073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Average daily gain (ADG) is the most economically important trait in beef cattle industry. Using genome-wide association study (GWAS) approaches, previous studies have identified several causal variants within the PLAG1, NCAPG and LCORL genes for ADG in cattle. Multi-strategy GWASs were implemented in this study to improve detection and to explore the causal genes and regions. In this study, we conducted GWASs based on the genotypes of 1,173 Simmental cattle. In the SNP-based GWAS, the most significant SNPs (rs109303784 and rs110058857, P = 1.78 × 10−7) were identified in the NCAPG intron on BTA6 and explained 4.01% of the phenotypic variance, and the independent and significant SNP (rs110406669, P = 5.18 × 10−6) explained 3.32% of the phenotypic variance. Similarly, in the haplotype-based GWAS, the most significant haplotype block, Hap-6-N1416 (P = 2.56 × 10−8), spanned 12.7 kb on BTA6 and explained 4.85% of the phenotypic variance. Also, in the gene-based GWAS, seven significant genes were obtained which included DCAF16 and NCAPG. Moreover, analysis of the transcript levels confirmed that transcripts abundance of NCAPG (P = 0.046) and DCAF16 (P = 0.046) were significantly correlated with the ADG trait. Overall, our results from the multi-strategy GWASs revealed the DCAF16-NCAPG region to be a susceptibility locus for ADG in cattle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wengang Zhang
- Cattle Genetics and Breeding Group, Institute of Animal Science (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Junya Li
- Cattle Genetics and Breeding Group, Institute of Animal Science (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yong Guo
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture (BUA), Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lupei Zhang
- Cattle Genetics and Breeding Group, Institute of Animal Science (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lingyang Xu
- Cattle Genetics and Breeding Group, Institute of Animal Science (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xue Gao
- Cattle Genetics and Breeding Group, Institute of Animal Science (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Bo Zhu
- Cattle Genetics and Breeding Group, Institute of Animal Science (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Huijiang Gao
- Cattle Genetics and Breeding Group, Institute of Animal Science (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hemin Ni
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture (BUA), Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Cattle Genetics and Breeding Group, Institute of Animal Science (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu J, Liu X, Liu Y, Deng S, Huang H, Chen Q, Liu W, Huang Z. Association of EVI5 rs11808092, CD58 rs2300747, and CIITA rs3087456 polymorphisms with multiple sclerosis risk: A meta-analysis. Meta Gene 2016; 9:97-103. [PMID: 27331013 PMCID: PMC4908284 DOI: 10.1016/j.mgene.2016.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with a strong genetic component. Previous studies have reported that the association of EVI5 rs11808092, CD58 rs2300747, and CIITA rs3087456 polymorphisms with the susceptibility to MS. However, the results were inconsistent. Thus, we conducted this meta-analysis to provide a more accurate estimation of the association between any of these polymorphisms and MS risk. Methods The PubMed, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang databases and MSGene were used to search all potentially relevant studies. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to investigate the associations between these three polymorphisms and MS risk. Results 16 independent case–control studies from 12 publications were finally included into this meta-analysis. The results showed that EVI5 rs11808092 polymorphism was related with increasing the development of MS under five genetic models (allelic: OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.10–1.24, P < 0.01; homozygous: OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.18–1.59, P < 0.01; heterozygous: OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.07–1.26, P < 0.01; recessive: OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.11–1.48, P < 0.01; and dominant: OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.11–1.48, P < 0.01). CD58 rs2300747 polymorphism was found to be associated with decreasing MS risk in three genetic models (allelic: OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.78–0.94, P < 0.01; heterozygous: OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.76–0.94, P < 0.01, and dominant: OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76–0.93, P < 0.01). However, this meta-analysis indicated that CIITA rs3087456 polymorphism was not related to multiple sclerosis. Conclusions The mutant alleles of EVI5 rs11808092 polymorphism may increase the susceptibility to MS while those of CD58 rs2300747 polymorphism may decrease MS risk. In addition, CIITA rs3087456 polymorphism might not be associated with MS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahe Liu
- Key Laboratory for Medical Molecular Diagnostics of Guangdong Province, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Key Laboratory for Medical Molecular Diagnostics of Guangdong Province, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Medical Molecular Diagnostics of Guangdong Province, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, China
| | - Shimin Deng
- Key Laboratory for Medical Molecular Diagnostics of Guangdong Province, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Hongbin Huang
- Key Laboratory for Medical Molecular Diagnostics of Guangdong Province, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Qicong Chen
- School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Weidong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Medical Molecular Diagnostics of Guangdong Province, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Zunnan Huang
- Key Laboratory for Medical Molecular Diagnostics of Guangdong Province, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Reiss CS. Virus-Induced Demyelination: The Case for Virus(es) in Multiple Sclerosis. NEUROTROPIC VIRAL INFECTIONS 2016. [PMCID: PMC7122906 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-33189-8_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease of man with over 400,000 cases in the United States and over 2.5 million cases worldwide. There are over 64,000 citations in Pubmed dating back as far as 1887. Much has been learned over the past 129 years with a recent burst in therapeutic options (mostly anti-inflammatory) with newer medications in development that are neuroprotective and/or neuroreparative. However, with all these advancements the cause of MS remains elusive. There is a clear interplay of genetic, immunologic, and environmental factors that influences both the development and progression of this disorder. This chapter will give a brief overview of the history and pathogenesis of MS with attention to how host immune responses in genetically susceptible individuals contribute to the MS disease process. In addition, we will explore the role of infectious agents in MS as potential “triggers” of disease. Models of virus-induced demyelination will be discussed, with an emphasis on the recent interest in human herpesviruses and the role they may play in MS disease pathogenesis. Although we remain circumspect as to the role of any microbial pathogen in MS, we suggest that only through well-controlled serological, cellular immune, molecular, and animal studies we will be able to identify candidate agents. Ultimately, clinical interventional trials that either target a specific pathogen or class of pathogens will be required to make definitive links between the suspected agent and MS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carol Shoshkes Reiss
- Departments of Biology and Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York USA
| |
Collapse
|