HLA-DRB 1 and tumor necrosis factor gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis

We studied genetic polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) region as well as HLA-DRB1 of 42 patients with Western-type multiple sclerosis (MS ) and 38 with Asian-type MS in Japan. The sex ratio (Female:Male) was signi ficantly higher in Asian than in Western type MS (3.8 vs. 1.3, P = 0.038). The frequency of HLA-DRB1*1501 allele in the Western-type MS group increase d significantly compared with the control group, while Asian-type MS and co ntrol groups showed similar distribution in the frequencies of HLA-DRB1 all eles. No significant differences existed in the TNF region, however, includ ing TNF-a microsatellite alleles. The results suggest that MS in Asians may present two different clinical and immunogenetic manifestations. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.