Protective Role of the HLA-A*02 Allele in Portuguese Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) HLA-DRB1*15. Recent evidence that CD8 T cells are implicated in MS suggests that HLA class I may also contribute. An association of HLA-A*02 and A*03 alleles has been described.

Objectives: We examined the influence of HLA-A*02 and HLA-A*03 in Portuguese patients with MS, independently of HLA-DRB1*15 using a logistic regression model.

Conclusions: DRB1*15 increased the risk of developing MS and HLA-A*02 decreased the risk. A*03 had no effect. To analyze if HLA-A*02 association was independent from DRB1*15, an interaction between these two alleles was introduced in the model; no significant interaction was found.