IMMUNOGENETIC STUDIES IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

该子项目是利用 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。列出的机构是 中心，不一定是研究者的机构。 这项建议的总体目标是确定MS的潜在遗传原因。具体来说，目前的研究旨在评估与早发性多发性硬化症（MS）相关的遗传因素。大量先前的研究结论性地表明，对MS有很强的遗传影响。基因在其种系结构中影响易感性、疾病进展，最有可能的是，也影响对治疗的反应。尽管有这些证据，但很难确定所涉及的特定基因。以前的工作已经研究了被认为是影响MS的候选基因-例如，控制免疫系统功能和抵抗病毒感染的基因-但这种方法已经取得了部分成功。现在存在的技术可以使用无偏见和有效的方法来识别导致MS易感性的基因。MS易感性的确切分子基础的鉴定无疑将为治疗和/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.