Association of VCAM-1 gene polymorphisms with Multiple Sclerosis susceptibility in the southeast of Iran

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune nervous system disorder characterized by leukocytes recruitment into nervous system and demyelination. Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) is a cell surface glycoprotein, which is expressed by activated endothelium in a variety of pathologic conditions including MS. The aim of this study (case-control) was to evaluate the probable association of VCAM-1 T-1594C and A-540G single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with circulating levels of sVCAM-1 and susceptibility to MS. Analysis of VCAM-1 polymorphisms was performed by PCR with Sequence-Specific Primers (SSP) and concentration of sVCAM-1 in serum was performed by ELISA techniques. No significant differences were detected for allele frequencies of VCAM-1 polymorphisms in MS patients than in the controls respectively (p>0.05). Moreover, baseline serum sVCAM-1 concentrations significantly increased among patient in contrast to controls (p<0.001). This study shows that these SNPs in VCAM-1 my not a putative risk predisposing alleles for MS and its clinical covariates in southeast Iran population. The folding rate of the VCAM-1 protein increases for MS patients implicating a potential effect and function of VCAM-1 in immunopathogenesis of MS. Results invites further investigation relevant to understanding the mechanisms underlying the VCAM-1 overexpression in MS patients. © 2013 Academic Journals Inc.