Genetic variants in interleukin 7 receptor α chain (IL-7Ra) are associated with multiple sclerosis risk and disability progression in Central European Slovak population

• SNP rs6897932 in IL7Ra gene is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Slovaks.
• Allele C of rs6897932 in IL7Ra gene increases the risk of MS development.
• Allele T has a protective additive effect against MS susceptibility.
• The rate of disability progression of MS was measured by MSSS score.
• Allele T and genotype TT protect against the rapid disability progression in MS.

In this study, we determined the association between rs6897932 in interleukin 7 receptor α (IL7Ra) gene and the risk and disability progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) in 270 MS patients and 303 controls. We found allele C to be associated with the risk of MS and minor allele T to be protective against MS development. Moreover, we revealed for the first time that rs6897932 in IL7Ra gene is associated with the progression of MS, evaluated by MSSS scores. The minor allele T and genotype TT are protective against a rapid disability progression in MS in the Central European Slovak population.