IgG allotypes and subclasses in Norwegian patients with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifactorial disease in which genetic and en vironmental factors apparently have a major influence on the susceptibility and course of the disease. In the present study we have investigated the g enetic basis and subclass levels of IgG in MS. Hundred and thirty-six Norwe gian patients with MS and 92 controls were genotyped for IgG allotypes of t he GM and KM systems. IgG and IgG subclasses were quantified in sera from 1 15 MS patients and 20 controls. Neither GM nor KM allo-, haplo- or genotype s were significantly correlated with susceptibility, severity or course of the disease. The G1M (3) (3), G2M (23) (23) and G3M (5) (5) allotypes were significantly correlated with high serum levels of IgG3, whereas high IgG2 levels were correlated with G1M (3) (3) and G2M (23) (23) in both patients and controls. Serum levels of IgG subclasses were not significantly correla ted with course or severity of the disease. The results indicate no major r ole for IgG allotypes or IgG subclass levels in the pathogenesis of MS. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.