LINGO1 rs9652490 and rs11856808 polymorphisms are not associated with risk for multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND Some recent experimental data suggest a possible role of LINGO-1 in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In an attempt to identify genetic biomarkers related to MS susceptibility, we genotyped two common SNPs in the LINGO1 gene which have been associated to other neurological conditions, in patients with MS and in healthy subjects. These SNPs are linked to several SNPs within the LINGO1 gene, especially in individuals of Oriental or Caucasian descent. METHODS We analyzed the allelic and genotype frequency of two LINGO1 variants (rs9652490 and rs11856808) in 293 patients with MS and 318 healthy controls, using KASPar assays. RESULTS LINGO1 rs9652490 and rs11856808 allelic and genotype frequencies did not differ significantly between MS patients and controls. The minor allele frequencies for rs9652490 were 0.171 (95% CI = 0.140-0.201) and 0.167 (95% CI = 0.138-0.196 for cases and controls respectively (p = 0.853). For rs11856808 the minor allele frequencies were 0.317 (95% CI = 0.280-0.355) and 0.310 (95% CI = 0.274-0.346) for cases and controls, respectively (p = 0.773). Allele and genotype frequencies were unrelated with the age of onset of MS, gender, and clinical course of MS. In addition, haplotype analyses did not reveal any putative risk related to haplotypes. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that LINGO1 rs9652490 and rs11856808 polymorphisms are not related with risk for MS. This study adds to other published evidence indicating that, to date, the LINGO1 SNPs studied here could be useful risk biomarkers of developing essential tremor, but not other movement disorders.