B-cell activating factor gene variants in multiple sclerosis: Possible associations with disease susceptibility among females

Clin Immunol. 2023 Nov 21:109847. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109847. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAlthough B cells and B cell activating factor (BAFF) have been previously implicated in MS pathogenesis, data regarding the genetic influence of BAFF polymorphisms on MS susceptibility are limited. Here we aim to explore whether BAFF polymorphisms could contribute to MS susceptibility. 156 RRMS patients fulfilling the revised McDonald criteria for MS diagnosis and 220 HCs were enrolled. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics were recorded. BAFF rs9514827, rs1041569, and rs9514828 polymorphisms were assessed by RFLP-PCR in DNA samples extracted from whole peripheral blood. The BAFF rs1041569 TT genotype along with the CTT and TTC haplotypes were associated with significantly increased risk for MS development in female MS patients compared to healthy female counterparts. These findings were not confirmed in males. The rs1041569 BAFF variant together with the CTT and TTC BAFF haplotypes derived from the BAFF rs9514827, rs1041569, and rs9514828 polymorphisms may represent novel genetic contributors to the development of MS in females.PMID:37995946 | DOI:10.1016/j.clim.2023.109847
Source: Clinical Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Source Type: research