Multiple sclerosis (MS) predisposition is thought to be influenced by a complex, yet unclear interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Studying ethnically selected populations may reduce genetic and environmental heterogeneities and help clarify the underlying mechanisms of MS susceptibility. Sardinians kept a homogeneous genetic structure and have among the highest MS frequency rates worldwide. Interestingly, MS in Sardinia is linked to otherwise rare HLA alleles. In this light, recent findings from epidemiological and immunogenetic studies of Sardinian MS are presented. Results confirm that, likely due to significant genetic differences at a microgeographic level, even in this homogeneous population MS is immunogenetically heterogeneous and tends to preferentially cluster in some more archaic areas of the island.
Immunogenetic heterogeneity of multiple sclerosis in Sardinia / Sotgiu, Stefano; Pugliatti, M.; Solinas, Maria Giuliana; Castiglia, Paolo Giuseppino; Sanna, A.; Rosati, G.. - In: NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES. - ISSN 1590-1874. - 22:2(2001), pp. 167-170. [10.1007/s100720170018]
Immunogenetic heterogeneity of multiple sclerosis in Sardinia
SOTGIU, Stefano;SOLINAS, Maria Giuliana;CASTIGLIA, Paolo Giuseppino;
2001-01-01
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) predisposition is thought to be influenced by a complex, yet unclear interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Studying ethnically selected populations may reduce genetic and environmental heterogeneities and help clarify the underlying mechanisms of MS susceptibility. Sardinians kept a homogeneous genetic structure and have among the highest MS frequency rates worldwide. Interestingly, MS in Sardinia is linked to otherwise rare HLA alleles. In this light, recent findings from epidemiological and immunogenetic studies of Sardinian MS are presented. Results confirm that, likely due to significant genetic differences at a microgeographic level, even in this homogeneous population MS is immunogenetically heterogeneous and tends to preferentially cluster in some more archaic areas of the island.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.