The Relation between Human Leukocyte Antigen and Multiple Sclerosis

HLA genes are associated with more than 100 diseases, including infectious diseases like HIV, and some cancers. Some autoimmune conditions, including diabetes and multiple sclerosis, are also linked to specific variations in the HLA. In MS, the immune system fails to distinguish between the body's tissues and foreign proteins resulting in it attacking myelin as if it were foreign. Several HLA genes have been found to influence the risk of developing MS. Some variants make an individual more likely to develop MS, whereas others may have a protective effect and decrease the risk. Although the precise genes involved in the development of multiple sclerosis are still not fully understood, research has identified one HLA gene that is more prevalent in women with MS and may be part of the explanation why more women than men get the condition.