Systematic review of genome-wide expression studies in multiple sclerosis

Background: Although recent genome-wide association studies have identified several genetic variants contributing to the complex aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), expression and functional studies are required to further understand its molecular basis. Objectives: To identify genes and pathways with differential expression in MS. Design: The authors conducted a systematic review of seven microarray studies, in which expression in immune cells was compared between MS patients and controls. These studies include a previously unpublished study, which is described here in detail. Results and conclusion: Although in general the overlap between studies was poor, 229 genes were found to be differentially expressed in MS in at least two studies, of which 11 were in three studies and HSPA1A in four studies. After excluding the authors' unpublished experiment which may have been affected by certain confounding factors and inclusion of treated subjects, 135 genes were identified in at least two studies. The differentially expressed genes were significantly associated with several immunological pathways, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-17 and glucocorticoid receptor signalling pathways. 15 of the 229 loci have shown some association with MS in published genome-wide association studies (p<0.0001), including three loci with confirmed MS risk variants.