The autoimmune disease–associated IL12B and IL23R polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis

SummaryRecently published genetic studies in psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and ankylosing spondylitis identified significant associations with IL12B and IL23R polymorphisms. An important role for the IL-12/IL-23 pathway in multiple sclerosis (MS) is supported by immunologic studies in patients and animal models. To determine whether IL12B/IL23R disease-associated polymorphisms play a role in susceptibility to MS, we genotyped 910 MS-nuclear families, totaling 3132 individuals. Family-based association analysis was performed. There was no evidence of transmission distortion of any of the tested alleles in this data set.