Single nucleotide polymorphisms of lncRNA H19 are not associated with risk of multiple sclerosis in Iranian population

Abstract

Abstract Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as a chronic demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) has been associated with dysregulation of several genetic and epigenetic factors. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as important epigenetic regulators of gene expression might also contribute in the pathogenesis of MS. In the current study, we genotyped two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the lncRNA H19 (rs2839698 and rs217727) in a population of 402 MS patients and 392 healthy subjects using tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system-PCR technique. No significant association was found between the mentioned SNPs and MS risk in any of inheritance model. Moreover, the distributions of the four expected haplotypes were similar in MS patients and controls. Despite the previously acknowledged role of H19 in regulation of immune response, the mentioned SNPs do not contribute in the pathogenesis of MS in Iranian population. Future studies are needed to assess the associations between other SNPs within this lncRNA and risk of MS.