The Australian scientists who in 2007 discovered the MS susceptibility gene IL-7Ra have gone on to uncover how it might be working, opening the door to potentially new approaches to treat MS.
Prof Claude Bernard from Monash University highlights “This is an important and significant piece of MS research, showing that genetic variations in the IL-7 receptor alpha chain, influence the development of immune cells. More over, these findings may soon allow us to differentiate healthy individuals from those with MS as well as other neurological disorders.”
The Westmead Millennium Institute scientists, Dr David Booth and Prof Graeme Stewart, published results today in the Journal of Immunology outlining the likely biological mechanism by which variations in the IL-7Ra gene influence the control of the immune system.
Previous research has shown that genetic variations within the IL-7Ra gene go on to affect MS susceptibility, type 1 diabetes and survival after bone marrow transplantation. But until now, it was unknown how IL-7Ra exerts its influence.
Dr Booth describes the discovery: “The IL-7Ra gene produces a receptor on the surface of immune cells that interact with a molecule called TSLP to regulate the immune system. We have found that the genetic variant of IL-7Ra which increases the risk of MS interacts less with TSLP. This creates a less controlled immune system that may go on to cause MS and disease progression.”
Prof Bill Carroll, MS Research Australia (MSRA) Scientific Chairman highlights, “Over the last five years, MSRA has made a significant investment in genetics research to identify the genes likely to play a role in MS susceptibility. It is gratifying to see these gene discoveries taken down the road to better understand the possible mechanism of their effects, which will then undoubtedly lead to better and more targeted treatments in the future.”
