Research Paper: Gene Expression of CD226 and Its Serum Levels in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Recent studies have found some genetic variants as a risk factor for autoimmunediseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Cluster of Differentiation 226 (CD226) is one of the riskfactors for MS.Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the gene expression of CD226, and its proteinserum level in peripheral blood samples of MS patients and healthy individuals.Materials & Methods: A total of 30 individuals with MS and 30 healthy individuals, as controls,referred to Kashani Hospital of Isfahan, Iran. CD226 expression at the transcript level and serumprotein levels were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzymelinkedimmunosorbent assays, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed by Shapiro-Wilktest and nonparametric tests in SPSS.Results: The present study showed no significant differences in the gene expression of CD226(P=0.341). The mean serum protein level of CD226 was not different between the patients and thecontrols (P=0.978).Conclusion: Overall, CD226 expression has no diagnostic usefulness in MS at either the transcriptor serum level.