The Ala/Ala genotype of PPARY Pro12 Ala polymorphism is associated with late onset of multiple sclerosis

The function of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in immune regulation, as well as in antiinflammatory and anti-proliferative actions towards T lymphocytes, has been reported. A potential role of PPARs in multiple sclerosis (MS) was suggested. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is an association of PPARγ-2 Pro12Ala polymorphism with MS in 361 patients from Serbia. The genotype and allele frequencies of Pro12Ala polymorphism were not significantly different between controls and patients, or between females and males. In contrast to controls, we detected a rare Ala/Ala genotype in patients with MS. We found that there is a significant association of Ala/Ala genotype with older age at onset (ANOVA, p=0.07; LSD post-hoc, Ala/Ala vs. Pro/Ala, p=0.03, Ala/Ala vs. Pro/Pro p=0.02). It would be useful to validate our results in other populations, as well as to perform follow-up of the disease progression in regard to PPARγ genotypes. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175085