Association of IL7Rα (rs6897932) and BDNF (rs6265) Gene Variants with Multiple Sclerosis in a Group of Egyptian Population: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis represents a complex neurological disorder driven by immune-mediated processes within the central nervous system. Interleukin-7 receptor alpha (IL7Rα) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) may be considered integral to its pathophysiology, making their genetic variants prime candidates for investigation. Objective: To determine the relationship between the IL7Rα (rs6897932) and BDNF (rs6265) gene variants and the susceptibility to MS. Methods: This case-control study involving 79 MS patients, alongside 79 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Single nucleotide variants for IL7Rα (rs6897932) and BDNF (rs6265) were identified through TaqMan Real-Time PCR genotyping assays. Results: The frequency of the CC genotype and C allele of both IL7Rα (rs6897932) and BDNF (rs6265) gene variants was higher in MS patients compared to controls. However, this difference did not reach clinical significance in terms of genotype distribution and allelic discrimination for IL7Rα. In contrast, there was a significant difference in genotype distribution for BDNF (p = 0.02). Additionally, neither genetic variant showed any association with clinical parameters such as the EDSS, age of onset, or annual relapse rate. Conclusion: The rs6265 C/C genotype was significantly more common in MS, indicating a potential involvement of BDNF-mediated neuroimmune mechanisms in MS susceptibility in this population.