V Hadavi, Dd Farhud, Mh Sanati, Sm Nabavi, M Seyedian, M Hushmand, M Younesian,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (11-2005)
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous
system, with a complex etiology that includes a strong genetic component. The chromosome
19q 13 region surrounding the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene has shown consistent
evidence of involvement in MS. In a cross-sectional study, to show the APOE
genotype and allele frequency in the MS population of Iran in comparison with the
control group, we genotyped its polymorphisms (ε2, ε3 and ε4 alleles). The authors
investigated 81 patients with clinically definite MS and 93 asymptomatic elderly volunteers.
The frequency of the APOE allele in the MS population in comparison with
controls was 9.3% vs. 0.5% for ε4,44.4% vs. 51.6% for ε3, and 46.3% vs. 47.8%
for £2. The highest frequency of APOE genotype was from ε2/ ε3 with 66.7% vs.
94.6% and the lowest, £4/£4 genotype with 2.5% vs. 0%. The authors found significant
differences in the distribution of ε 4 allele between patients with MS and controls
(9.3% vs. 0.5% X2=15.2 df=2 p<0.001). The highest frequency of £4 allele in MS
patients was in Pure Turkish (25.0% vs. 5.3 % ) ethnicity. There was no signifIcant relation
between ethnicity and genotype. In the present study ε2/ε4, ε3/ε4 and ε4/ ε4
genotypes were more common in bout-onset cases compared to primary progressive
cases, and the secondary progressive disease was higher in carriers of £4 allele. Also,
the ε 2 allele was higher in relapsing remitting disease.
