Relevance of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist intron 2 polymorphism in Italian MS patients

The A1/A1 genotype of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) polymorphism was more frequent in 339 Italian MS,patie nts than in healthy controls (HCs) (odds ratio = 1.83). A more aggressive d isease course was also associated with A1(+) genotypes and might reflect th e reduced ability of mononuclear cell cultures of A1(+) HCs to produce IL-1 Ra. We conclude that an IL-1Ra gene polymorphism is associated with occurre nce of;disease and clinical course variability in Italian MS patients.