Rs3135388

rs3135388 is highly (> 99%) correlated with the HLA-DRB1*1501 allele; the risk allele (T) is associated with a 3 to 6 fold higher risk for developing multiple sclerosis. The risk per allele (or per haplotype) appears additive. It has also been associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) (see) and possibly narcolepsy. The HLA-DRB1*1501 allele is fairly common; for example, it occurs in 15-30% of individuals of Northern European ancestry.

An interesting series of correlations have been woven together to suggest that a possible way to lower the risk of rs3135388(T) carriers developing multiple sclerosis would be to ensure sufficient vitamin D production, presumably through sunlight exposure, during as yet unknown critical periods in development.

Association between rs3135388(T) allele and multiple sclerosis also seen in 269 Serbian patients, with an odds ratio of 2 for (T) allele carriers.