multiple sclerosis researchers link risk genes to Vit D

[AiA in Atlanta]

I had my Vitamin D levels tested a few years back after living in Japan for years and came in at a "29" which is low. I then started taking Vitamin D3 (along with Vitamin K which is recommended) and my levels shot back up into the "healthy" range. I have read that even people who live in sunny places can have low D levels because most of us work indoors and we have all been taught to fear sunshine. I used to get lung infections and cough all the time. Now I never get sick.

Sydney multiple sclerosis researchers link risk genes to Vitamin D

The further away you live from the equator the more likely you are to be diagnosed with MS.

It sounds simple. But since analysis of the genetic determiners of multiple sclerosis began in the '70s, sunlight's factoring in the disease has seemed irreconcilable with its highly complex genetic make-up.

Genetic risk factors of multiple sclerosis have been linked to Vitamin D activation.
Genetic risk factors of multiple sclerosis have been linked to Vitamin D activation. Photo: Supplied
New research from scientists based at The Westmead Institute in Sydney has drawn a link between the genetic and environmental circumstances of multiple sclerosis, which affects 2.1 million people worldwide, most of whom are diagnosed between 20 and 40 years of age.

The project led by immunologist Dr David Booth capitalises on data from a landmark 2013 study that profiled the DNA of 30,000 MS patients worldwide. The study found there are more than 100 genetic risk factors of MS, which is characterised by the scarring of tissue in the central nervous system.

"Previously, it was thought that t-cells orchestrated an attack on the myelin sheath around nerves, causing their destruction," Dr Booth said. "Because we have found out the gene risk types, we now know there are various immune cells involved in this process, and different sub-sets of cells causing MS in different people."

Dr Booth and his team worked backwards to find the cellular source of two of the 110 genes associated with MS, called EOMES and TBX21.

Using blood samples from 50 patients of Westmead Hospital, they were able to identify the immune cell CD56+ as largely responsible for expressing the two risk factor genes. In MS patients, CD56+ cells were found to be inactive or deficient compared with the general population.

"The study has shown that whether these risk factor genes are turned on or off in the CD56+ cell, it is related to Vitamin D activation," Dr Booth explained.

"It's the first time we have been able to link the genetic risk factors of MS to environmental factors (ie. the absorption of sunlight) and this provides the possibility of new therapeutic pathways."

Booth stated that the team is yet to see whether enhancing Vitamin D activation will begin to turn on the genes expressed by the CD56+ cells, and whether this will alter multiple sclerosis symptoms.

"Potentially this research could lead to finding an environmental trigger for the disease or therapies that slow or prevent relapse of MS that are safer or more effective than those currently available," Booth said.

Hereditary and stable, TBX21 and EOMES genes could also be used as markers of MS patients who will respond to drugs targeting the CD56+ cell.

Dr Booth will be presenting the institute's findings at the International Congress of Immunology in Melbourne on Tuesday.

[IQS.RLOW]

So all the skin cancer scares have resulted in an increase in MS and other diseases.

How many times have eggs and cholesterol been associated and deemed bad and then reversed? Yet apparently the illiterati can squeal that we shouldn't be using the very fuels that have advanced civilisation for the last 2000+ years.

Conservatism is reality. Progressivism is a crap shoot.

[Super Nova]

Here in the middle east there is the same problem. You would think they get lots of sun but they shun the sun like vampires.

A real problem here.

[IQS.RLOW]

Here in the middle east there is the same problem. You would think they get lots of sun but they shun the sun like vampires.

A real problem here.

Have you started wearing one of those red and white tea towels on your head?

[AiA in Atlanta]

So all the skin cancer scares have resulted in an increase in MS and other diseases.

How many times have eggs and cholesterol been associated and deemed bad and then reversed? Yet apparently the illiterati can squeal that we shouldn't be using the very fuels that have advanced civilisation for the last 2000+ years.

Conservatism is reality. Progressivism is a crap shoot.

Yes, many chronic diseases are caused by a lack of Vitamin D. But it gets worse, sunshine triggers a lot of other interactions in the body aside from the production of Vitamin D

We have been made to fear sunshine just like we have been made to fear healthy animal fats ...

[AiA in Atlanta]

Here in the middle east there is the same problem. You would think they get lots of sun but they shun the sun like vampires.

A real problem here.

Have you started wearing one of those red and white tea towels on your head?

infidels aren't allowed the tea towels

[Super Nova]

Here in the middle east there is the same problem. You would think they get lots of sun but they shun the sun like vampires.

A real problem here.

Have you started wearing one of those red and white tea towels on your head?

Not yet but I have started to wear a cap..... the bald spot needs it.

[lisa jones]

So all the skin cancer scares have resulted in an increase in MS and other diseases.

How many times have eggs and cholesterol been associated and deemed bad and then reversed? Yet apparently the illiterati can squeal that we shouldn't be using the very fuels that have advanced civilisation for the last 2000+ years.

Conservatism is reality. Progressivism is a crap shoot.

Yes, many chronic diseases are caused by a lack of Vitamin D. But it gets worse, sunshine triggers a lot of other interactions in the body aside from the production of Vitamin D

We have been made to fear sunshine just like we have been made to fear healthy animal fats ...

Good topic!

I love the sun....the outdoors/gardening.

I never get sunburned just sun tanned thanks to my olive skin.

Hopefully this will help to keep MS away!

[AiA in Atlanta]

there is a protocol for MS that involves taking massive doses of Vitamin D that is said to be effective. but sun exposure is no guarantee of adequate levels of the vitamin.