Association of Interleukin-1 and Inteleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Gene Polymorphisms with Multiple Sclerosis in Azeri Population of Iran

Secrets and lies of host-microbial interactions: MHC restriction and trans-regulation of T cell trafficking conceal the role of microbial agents on the edge between health and multifactorial/complex diseases

Here we critically discuss data supporting the view that microbial agents (pathogens, pathobionts or commensals alike) play a relevant role in the pathogenesis of multifactorial diseases, but their role is concealed by the rules presiding over T cell antigen recognition and trafficking. These rules make it difficult to associate univocally infectious agents to diseases' pathogenesis using the paradigm developed for canonical infectious diseases. (Cross-)recognition of a variable repertoire of epitopes leads to the possibility that distinct infectious agents can determine the same disease(s). There can be the need for sequential infection/colonization by two or more microorganisms to develop a given disease. Altered spreading of infectious agents can determine an unwanted activation of T cells towards a pro-inflammatory and trafficking phenotype, due to differences in the local microenvironment. Finally, trans-regulation of T cell trafficking allows infectious agents unrelated to the specificity of T cell to modify their homing to target organs, thereby driving flares of disease. The relevant role of microbial agents in largely prevalent diseases provides a conceptual basis for the evaluation of more specific therapeutic approaches, targeted to prevent (vaccine) or cure (antibiotics and/or Biologic Response Modifiers) multifactorial diseases.

Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A profile of interleukine-1 gene cluster polymorphisms in Iraqi patients

In this case-control study, 68 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients and 133 control were genotyped for IL1A-889 (rs1800587), IL1B-511 (rs16944), IL1B+3962 (rs1143634), IL1R1pst11970 (rs2234650) and IL1RNmspa1 11,100 (rs315952) variants. Sequence-specific-primer-polymerase-chain-reaction was the genotyping method. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated protective effects of IL1B-511, IL1R1pst11970 and IL1RNmspa1 11,100 against MS incidence, while no association was found with IL1A-889 and IL1B+3962 variants. Allele frequencies showed no significant gender, medication or expanded disability status scale-associated variation. Haplotype analysis suggested 4.31-fold increased odds for MS in subjects with C-T-C-C-T haplotype of the respective loci. In conclusion, IL-1 gene variants influence MS susceptibility in Iraqi population.