IMMUNOGENETIC STUDIES IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中利用 资源由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供。子项目和 调查员(PI)可能从NIH的另一个来源获得了主要资金， 并因此可以在其他清晰的条目中表示。列出的机构是 该中心不一定是调查人员的机构。 这项建议的总体目标是确定MS的潜在遗传原因，具体地说，目前的调查旨在评估与早发性多发性硬化症(MS)相关的遗传因素。大量以前的研究结论表明，MS基因的种系配置对其有很强的遗传影响，影响易感性、疾病进展，最有可能的是对治疗的反应。尽管有这些证据，但很难确定涉及的特定基因。以前的工作着眼于被认为对多发性硬化症有影响的已知基因--例如，控制免疫系统功能和对病毒感染的抵抗力的基因--但这种方法已经取得了部分成功。这项技术现在可以使用公正有效的方法来识别导致多发性硬化症易感性的基因。确定多发性硬化症易感性的确切分子基础无疑将为治疗和/或预防这种残酷的疾病带来新的机会。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The overall goal of this proposal is to identify the underlying genetic causes of MS. Specifically, the current investigation seeks to assess genetic factors related to early-onset Multiple Sclerosis (MS). A vast body of previous research conclusively shows that there is a strong genetic influence on MS. Genes in their germline configuration influence susceptibility, disease progression and most likely, also response to treatment. Despite this evidence, it has been difficult to identify the specific genes involved. Previous work has looked at known genes thought to be candidates for having influence on MS - for example, genes that control immune system function and resistance to viral infection - but this approach has met with partial success. The technology now exists to identify the genes that cause MS susceptibility using unbiased and efficient methods. Identification of the exact molecular basis of MS susceptibility will undoubtedly result in new opportunities for treatment and/or prevention of this cruel disease.