Two HLA class I genes independently associated with multiple sclerosis

ObjectiveThe risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) is influenced by HLA-DRB1, while protective effects have been proposed for HLA-A*02 and HLA-C*05. Our aim was to further understand the role of HLA class I in MS through a comprehensive investigation.Methods1529 MS patients and 1814 controls from Sweden and Norway were genotyped for HLA-DRB1, HLA-A, and HLA-C. Simultaneous analysis of all alleles while adjusting for confounding was achieved using logistic regression.ResultsWe observed independent effects of all three genes. We confirm the HLA-A*02 (OR = 0.73, p = 9.2 × 10− 4) association and report a novel effect of HLA-C*08 (OR = 1.85, p = 0.0093).ConclusionsThe HLA class I region contains two factors modulating MS risk, characterized by independent associations with HLA-A and HLA-C.