Polymorphism in the third intron of the interferonγ gene is associated with susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.

The present study aims to examine the relationship between polymorphisms in the third intron of the IFN-γ gene and their influence on susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. A population-based case-control study was used for this purpose. Multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls were interviewed. Genetic polymorphisms of IFN-γ intron III at the +2118 A/G and +3586 G/ACT sites were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Genotypes and allele frequencies of IFN-γ intron III at the +2118 position were significantly different between multiple sclerosis patients and controls (P ≥ 0.05). However, no difference in allele frequencies was observed at the +3586 position between the two groups (P ≤ 0.05). Thus, polymorphisms at the +2118 A/G site in the IFN-γ intron III gene may be associated with susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.