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Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:44 pm
another Cambridge breakthrough...........
New MS genes after 30 year hunt
Many genes are thought to play a role in MS
The first new genes for three decades linked to multiple sclerosis have been
identified by UK and US researchers.
Approximately 60,000 people in the UK suffer from the incurable disease of
the nervous system.
The finding, published in two journals, will not lead directly to new tests
or treatments, as experts say as many as 100 more genes may play a role in
MS.
However, a Cambridge University researcher said he now expected swifter
progress to reveal them all.
The joint project used the latest genome-scanning technology to look at the
genetic make-up of thousands of MS patients, looking for signs of tiny
genetic differences which might mean a greater risk of developing the
illness.
It concluded that people carrying either of two genetic variants, called
IL7R-alpha and IL2R-alpha, had an increased risk of between 20% and 30%.
No test
Dr Stephen Sawcer, from Cambridge University, said that even though this
only represented a tiny increase in risk, it was a "landmark" discovery.
"This ends 30 years of complete frustration," he said. "But now we finally
have the technology we need to help us find these genes."
These finds are the first of many, and after three decades finding nothing,
we would expect to find many more of these genes over the next few years
Dr Stephen Sawcer, Cambridge University
A test for this gene alone would reveal nothing about a person's chances of
developing MS later in life, he said, as only one in 10 people in the UK did
not carry it.
"We estimate that there are between 50 and 100 other genes which carry an
additional risk.
"These finds are the first of many, and after three decades finding nothing,
we would expect to find many more of these genes over the next few years."
It was only once many more "MS genes" were revealed, he said, that
scientists would then be able to identify people carrying large numbers of
them and examine what other factors might be triggering their illness.
Both of the genes identified by the research are known to have a role in the
body's immune responses.
MS is caused when the immune system wrongly attacks the sheaths surrounding
the nerves, destroying them and the body's ability to send signals along
them.
This leads to muscle weakness, difficulties with balance and speech and
vision problems.
Joint effort
The Harvard Center for Neurodegeneration and Repair was one of several US
universities and research institutes which worked together on the project.
Adrian Ivinson, its director, said: "This study illustrates the power of
collaboration - individually, none of us could have completed a study of
this scale and complexity."
Dr Lee Dunster, head of research and information at the MS Society, welcomed
the publication of the studies in the journals Nature Genetics and the New
England Journal of Medicine
He said: "One of the great unknowns about MS is what causes it and this
looks like a welcome breakthrough in getting to grips with the genetics
behind the disease.
"People with MS often worry about what caused it, and particularly whether
it will affect their children, so a better understanding of the role of
certain genes is good news.
"These latest findings will be of great interest to researchers trying to
develop future treatments."
The research is published in the New England Journal of Medicine and Nature Genetics.
New MS genes after 30 year hunt
Many genes are thought to play a role in MS
The first new genes for three decades linked to multiple sclerosis have been
identified by UK and US researchers.
Approximately 60,000 people in the UK suffer from the incurable disease of
the nervous system.
The finding, published in two journals, will not lead directly to new tests
or treatments, as experts say as many as 100 more genes may play a role in
MS.
However, a Cambridge University researcher said he now expected swifter
progress to reveal them all.
The joint project used the latest genome-scanning technology to look at the
genetic make-up of thousands of MS patients, looking for signs of tiny
genetic differences which might mean a greater risk of developing the
illness.
It concluded that people carrying either of two genetic variants, called
IL7R-alpha and IL2R-alpha, had an increased risk of between 20% and 30%.
No test
Dr Stephen Sawcer, from Cambridge University, said that even though this
only represented a tiny increase in risk, it was a "landmark" discovery.
"This ends 30 years of complete frustration," he said. "But now we finally
have the technology we need to help us find these genes."
These finds are the first of many, and after three decades finding nothing,
we would expect to find many more of these genes over the next few years
Dr Stephen Sawcer, Cambridge University
A test for this gene alone would reveal nothing about a person's chances of
developing MS later in life, he said, as only one in 10 people in the UK did
not carry it.
"We estimate that there are between 50 and 100 other genes which carry an
additional risk.
"These finds are the first of many, and after three decades finding nothing,
we would expect to find many more of these genes over the next few years."
It was only once many more "MS genes" were revealed, he said, that
scientists would then be able to identify people carrying large numbers of
them and examine what other factors might be triggering their illness.
Both of the genes identified by the research are known to have a role in the
body's immune responses.
MS is caused when the immune system wrongly attacks the sheaths surrounding
the nerves, destroying them and the body's ability to send signals along
them.
This leads to muscle weakness, difficulties with balance and speech and
vision problems.
Joint effort
The Harvard Center for Neurodegeneration and Repair was one of several US
universities and research institutes which worked together on the project.
Adrian Ivinson, its director, said: "This study illustrates the power of
collaboration - individually, none of us could have completed a study of
this scale and complexity."
Dr Lee Dunster, head of research and information at the MS Society, welcomed
the publication of the studies in the journals Nature Genetics and the New
England Journal of Medicine
He said: "One of the great unknowns about MS is what causes it and this
looks like a welcome breakthrough in getting to grips with the genetics
behind the disease.
"People with MS often worry about what caused it, and particularly whether
it will affect their children, so a better understanding of the role of
certain genes is good news.
"These latest findings will be of great interest to researchers trying to
develop future treatments."
The research is published in the New England Journal of Medicine and Nature Genetics.
