summary: Type 1 interferons upregulate oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1). The authors hypothesised that OAS1 genotypes can influence susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as disease activity, with the AA genotype being overrepresented and the GG genotype underrepresented in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) with increased disease activity. The authors studied the specific genotypes in 401 people with MS, 394 healthy controls and 178 people with MS receiving IFNbeta. They found that in people with MS on IFNbeta, the time to first relapse was 24 months with AA genotype and 33 with AG or GG genotype. They concluded that AA genotype may confer a susceptibility to MS and GG genotype may protect against increased disease activity.

authors: O'Brien M, Lonergan R, Costelloe L, O'Rourke K, Fletcher JM, Kinsella K Srn, Sweeney C, Antonelli G, Mills KH, O'Farrelly C, Hutchinson M, Tubridy N.

source: Neurology. 2010 Aug 3;75(5):411-418

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