Gene Expression of CD226 and Its Serum Levels in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Recent studies have found some genetic variants as a risk factor for autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Cluster of Differentiation 226 (CD226) is one of the risk factors for MS.  Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the gene expression of CD226, and its protein serum level in peripheral blood samples of MS patients and healthy individuals. Materials & Methods: Thirty individuals with MS and 30 healthy individuals, as controls, referred to Kashani Hospital of Isfahan, Iran. CD226 expression at the transcript level and serum protein levels were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed by Shapiro-Wilk test and nonparametric tests in SPSS.  Results: The present study showed no significant differences in the gene expression of CD226 (P=0.341). The mean serum protein level of CD226 was not different between the patients and the controls (P=0.978). Conclusion: Overall, CD226 expression has no diagnostic usefulness in MS at either the transcript or serum level.  Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis, Demyelinating diseases, Gene expression, Cluster of Differentiation 226 (CD226) antigen