Researchers have identified genetic markers linked to disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) that suggest a possible role of mast cells and neutrophils.
Recent data from genetic studies has provided insights on novel biological pathways that may be involved in MS, according to Dr Antonio Giordano of the San Raffaele Scientific Institute and University Hospital in Milan, Italy. “However, the basis of the broad heterogeneity in the clinical spectrum of MS is still largely unknown,” he said.
To investigate, Dr Giordano and colleagues performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). The study involved 778 patients, and over 600,000 SNPs were evaluated.