Genes, smoking, and organic solvent exposure
An alarming cocktail for MS risk
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The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is as yet unknown but likely comprises a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The strongest genetic associations are within the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes; 2 of the most studied are the risk allele HLA-DRB1*15 and the protective allele HLA-A*02. Of note, these genetic associations interact with the principal environmental risk factors for MS—namely, vitamin D deficiency, Epstein-Barr virus infection, smoking, and adolescent obesity—to increase the risk of MS.1 Organic solvent exposure can now be added to this expanding list of environmental risk factors that interact with HLA gene variants associated with MS susceptibility.
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