Susceptibility to multiple sclerosis associated with an immunoglobulin gamma 3 restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) has been linked to the immunoglobulin G (Gm) markers as well as HLA-DR genes. We have used a genomic Ig gamma 1 probe which detects polymorphisms in the gamma 1, gamma 2, gamma 3 and pseudogamma genes to identify restriction fragment length polymorphisms associated with MS. A negative association was found between a 5.9-kilobase (kb) Bst EII gamma 3 fragment and MS. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA revealed the presence of this fragment in 84 of 140 (60.0%) controls, but in only 17 of 59 (28.8%) MS patients. The frequency of the fragment in 47 myasthenia gravis and 16 Graves' disease patients was similar to that in controls, 60.0 and 62.5%, respectively.