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ISSN:2171-6625
September 18-19, 2017 | Dallas, USA
4th International Conference on
NEUROLOGY AND NEUROIMMUNOLOGY
HLA-immunogenetics in multiple sclerosis: On clinical applications and personalized therapeutics
Maria Anagnostouli
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multi-factorial disease of the
central nervous system, with a neuroinflammatory
and a neurodegenerative component, from its initiation
and further on. Many factors have been described to play
a role in the initiation and clinical course of the disease and
in the response to medication. These factors include age
at onset, gender, viral infections, human leucocyte antigen
()-genotype, non-HLA genes, vitamin D levels, body-mass-
index(BMI) and smoking. HLA genetic profile is considered
the most important, as it not only influences every aspect of
the disease, the cognitive status included, but it alsomodifies
the effect of the other factors. HLA-DRB1*15:01 is the best
established allele, both increasing the risk of MS, 2-3 times
and influencing response to first line medication (including
interferon-beta and glatiramer acetate), but neutralizing
antibodies’ formation against natalizumab, as well. Cognitive
decline is a well recognized manifestation of MS and some
new drugs are now available having a direct or indirect effect
on this neurodegenerative feature. Only HLA-DRB1*15:01
has been proved to deteriorate cognitive function measured
by neuropsychological tests. Other Class I and Class II HLA
alleles have either a detrimental (DRB1*08:01, 03:01, 13:03,
15:03, 04:05) or a protective (DRB1*14:01, *07*11, A*02:01)
effect on MS. Genome wide association studies (GWAS)
provide evidence concerning the role of non-HLA genes,
which have a well established, but much weaker than HLA
genes, effect on MS risk. Although, taking into account their
epistatic interactions, we conclude that HLA-genotyping,
having the core role may lead to an individualized approach
of MS patients, in different ethnic groups.
Speaker Biography
Maria Anagnostouli has completed her PhD from 1st Dept. of Neurology, of Medical
Scool of NKUOA and Post-doctoral studies from Neuro-ICU, Harvard University School
of Medicine. Her Phd was on Biotin Determination in Neurological Disorders and
especialy MS. Based on her results and suggestions, recently a patent was established
concerning therapeutic use of biotin in Primary Progressive MS, which is in progress.
Her main interest is MS of adults, children and adolescents and she is the Director
of Immunogenetics Laboratory, at 1st Dept. of Neurology, Aeginition Hospital, Athens,
Greece. She has published more than 40 papers in reputed journals and has been
serving as an Editorial BoardMember of repute. She is Member of scientific societies on
neurology, neuroimmunology and MS. She has also written a book on Neuroaesthetics
and a chapter on Neuroimmunology/Neuroinflammation.
e:
Maria Anagnostouli, J Neurol Neurosci, 8:5
DOI: 10.21767/2171-6625-C1-002