VDR and CYP24A1 Expression Analysis in Iranian Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients

The HLA rs9267649 and CYP24A1 rs2248359 Variants are Associated with Multiple Sclerosis: A Study on Iranian Population

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that MS results from synergism between genetic and environmental factors. As a genetic factor, the rs9267649 variant through the regulatory effect on the HLA-DRB1 expression is involved in the MS development. In addition, vitamin D deficiency through involvement of rs2248359 variant of CYP24A1 has shown to play important role in the risk of MS.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate both the HLA rs9267649 and CYP24A1 rs2248359 variants with risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Iranian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rs9267649 and rs2248359 variants were genotyped in 82 Iranian Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients and 100 matched healthy controls, using the PCR-RFLP method. The genotype and allele frequencies were calculated and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

A significant difference was found in the allele distribution for the both rs9267649 and rs2248359 variants, such that the A allele of rs9267649 and the C allele of rs2248359 were found to be more frequent in MS patients than in the healthy controls (p-value: 0.009, OR: 2.264, 95% CI: 1.211-4.231 and p-value: 0.028 OR: 1.594, 95% CI: 1.052-2.415), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present research results provide further evidence on the association of the two variants rs9267649 of the HLA and rs2248359 of the CYP24A1 gene with MS etiology and an increased risk of MS in Iranian RRMS patients. However, further large-scale investigations in various ethnicities and in the functional genomics level are demanded to confirm our findings.

MicroRNA-22 Level in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Its Relationship with Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor Levels

INTRODUCTION

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known to be a multifactorial disorder. Numerous observational studies have suggested the implication of multiple genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of MS. The aim of this work was to evaluate expression of the microRNA-22 (miRNA-22) level, in relation to vitamin D (VD) and VD receptor (VDR) levels in patients with MS during remission state.

METHODS

This case-control study was conducted in 50 patients with clinically definite MS and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. miRNA-22 expression was assessed in both MS patients and controls using quantitative RT-PCR. The serum level of VD and VDR was assessed in both MS patients and controls using ELISA techniques.

RESULTS

The miRNA-22 level was significantly downregulated in MS patients in comparison to controls (p value <0.001). MS patients had also significantly lower VD and VDR levels in comparison to controls (p value <0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) have a significantly higher miRNA-22 level than patients with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) (p value = 0.042). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the miRNA-22 level and EDSS (p value = 0.033). There was also a statistically significant positive correlation between the miRNA-22 level and VDR level (p value = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The miRNA-22 level was significantly downregulated in MS patients, but it had a positive correlation with disability status. Patients with SPMS have a significantly higher miRNA-22 level than patients with RRMS. VD and VDR levels were significantly lower in MS patients than controls. The miRNA-22 level was positively correlated with the VDR level.

Gene expression profiles of YAP1, TAZ, CRB3, and VDR in familial and sporadic multiple sclerosis among an Iranian population

Alterations in the regulatory mechanisms that control the process of myelination in the nervous system, may lead to the impaired myelination in the Multiple sclerosis. The Hippo pathway is an important mediator of myelination in the nervous system and might contribute to the pathophysiology of MS. This study examined via qPCR the RNA expression of YAP1, TAZ, and CRB3 as the key effectors of the Hippo pathway and also, VDR in the peripheral blood of 35 sporadic, 37 familial MS patients; and also 34 healthy first-degree relatives of the familial MS patients (HFR) and 40 healthy individuals without a family history of the disease (control). The results showed the increased expression of VDR in the sporadic group, as compared to other groups. There was also an increased expression of TAZ in the familial and HFR groups, as compared to the control group. The familial and sporadic patients displayed a significantly lower level of expression of YAP1 in comparison to the HFR group. The increased expression level in the sporadic patients and control group, as compared to the HFR group, was seen in CRB3. We also assessed different clinical parameters and MRI characteristics of the patients. Overall, these findings suggest that Hippo pathway effectors and also VDR gene may play a potential role in the pathophysiology of the sporadic and familial forms of MS. Confirmation of different gene expression patterns in sporadic and familial MS groups may have obvious implications for the personalization of therapies in the disease.

Genetic Alterations in Patients with Two Clinical Phenotypes of Multiple Sclerosis

The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still not known, but the interaction of genetic, immunological, and environmental factors seem to be involved. This study aimed to investigate genetic alterations and the vitamin D status in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS). A total of 53 patients (29 RRMS; 24 SPMS) and 25 healthy subjects were recruited to evaluate the micronucleated cell (MNC) frequency and nuclear abnormalities in the buccal mucosa, gene expression profiling in mononuclear cells, and plasmatic vitamin D concentration in the blood. Results showed a higher frequency of cells with karyorrhexis (SPMS) and lower frequencies of nuclear pyknosis (RRMS and SPMS) and karyolysis (SPMS) in patients with MS. Significant increase in the frequency of MNC was detected in the buccal mucosa of RRMS and SPMS patients. HIF1A, IL13, IL18, MYC, and TNF were differentially expressed in MS patients, and APP was overexpressed in cells of RRMS compared to SPMS patients. No relationship was observed between vitamin D level and the differentially expressed genes. In conclusion, the cytogenetic alterations in the buccal mucosa can be important indicators of genetic instability and degenerative processes in patients with MS. Furthermore, our data introduced novel biomarkers associated with the molecular pathogenesis of MS.

MS risk in immigrants in the McDonald era: A population-based study in Ontario, Canada

OBJECTIVE

To determine risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS) in immigrants and to compare MS risk in immigrants and long-term residents in Ontario, Canada.

METHODS

We applied a validated algorithm to linked, population-based immigration and health claims data to identify incident cases of MS in immigrants and long-term residents between 1994 and 2016. We conducted 2 multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses: 1 analysis limited to the immigrant cohort assessing potential risk factors for developing MS, and 1 analysis comparing MS risk between immigrants and matched long-term residents (1:3 match).

RESULTS

We identified 2,304,302 immigrants for the immigrant-only analysis, of whom 1,526 (0.066%) developed MS. Risk was greatest in those <15 years old at landing (referent <15 years; 16-30 years: hazard ratio [HR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-0.85; 31-45 years: HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.47-0.64). Immigrants from the Middle East (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06-1.40) were at greater MS risk than immigrants from Western nations; all other regions had lower risk (p < 0.0001). The matched analysis included 2,207,751 immigrants and 6,362,169 long-term residents. Immigrants were less likely to develop MS than long-term residents (p < 0.0001), although this lower risk was attenuated with longer residence in Canada.

CONCLUSIONS

MS incidence in immigrants to Ontario, Canada, varied widely by region of origin, with greatest risk seen in those from the Middle East. Longer residence in Canada was associated with increased risk, even with migration in adulthood, suggesting that environmental exposures into adulthood contribute to MS risk.