Immunogenetic Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis in 14 Continental Western European Countries

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA), a system involved in immune response to foreign antigens and autoimmunity, has been strongly implicated multiple sclerosis (MS). Prior research shown that HLA DRB1*15:01 exerts the strongest susceptibility effect, although other alleles have both to, protection against, MS. Here we utilized an immunogenetic epidemiological approach evaluate correlations between population frequencies of 127 Class I II prevalence MS 14 Continental Western European countries identify profile for The results these analyses, which largely corroborated prior findings revealed several novel highly robust associations with MS, larger number protective than alleles, particularly I. Given role pathogen elimination point contributory exposure pathogens absence underlying inflammation autoimmunity associated