Gene–environment interactions increase the risk of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis associated with household chemical exposures

Abstract

BackgroundWe previously reported an association between household chemical exposures and an increased risk of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.MethodsUsing a case–control paediatric multiple sclerosis study, gene–environment interaction between exposure to household chemicals and genotypes for risk of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis was estimated.Genetic risk factors of interest included the two major HLA multiple sclerosis risk factors, the presence ofDRB1*15and the absence ofA*02,and multiple sclerosis risk variants within the metabolic pathways of common household toxic chemicals, includingIL-6(rs2069852),BCL-2(rs2187163) andNFKB1(rs7665090).Results490 paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis cases and 716 controls were included in the analyses. Exposures to insect repellent for ticks or mosquitos (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.04, p=0.019), weed control products (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.51 to 3.07, p<0.001) and plant/tree insect or disease control products (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.92 to 5.49, p<0.001) were associated with increased odds of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. There was significant additive interaction between exposure to weed control products andNFKB1SNP GG (attributable proportions (AP) 0.48, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.87), and exposure to plant or disease control products and absence ofHLA-A*02(AP 0.56; 95% CI 0.03 to 1.08). There was a multiplicative interaction between exposure to weed control products andNFKB1SNP GG genotype (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.00 to 5.30) but not for other exposures and risk variants. No interactions were found withIL-6andBCL-2SNP GG genotypes.ConclusionsThe presence of gene–environment interactions with household toxins supports their possible causal role in paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.