Genetic variation in the B7-1 gene in patients with multiple sclerosis

Go-stimulation of T cells by B7-1, a protein that is expressed on antigen p resenting cells, favors a T helper type1 (Th1) cellular response. Th1/Th2 b ias may influence disease susceptibility or course of MS. We screened the e ntire coding sequence as well as the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of the B7-1 gene using a mutation scanning technique, dideoxyfingerprinting, in D NA from III patients with MS from Olmsted County, Minnesota. We identified five genetic variants. None alter protein structure nor have apparent funct ional significance. Selected variants of sufficient frequency were tested f or an association with course and severity of MS and one was tested for an association with susceptibility; none of the association tests were positiv e. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.