How does epigenetics influence multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a very complex disease, caused by genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.  

Genes can behave differently without changing   the DNA sequence; this is known as epigenetics. One of the main mechanisms of epigenetics is DNA methylation, where a chemical modification occurs and as methyl group is added to the DNA sequence.  

Dr Alexandre Xavier will investigate how epigenetics interacts with genetics (DNA sequence) and how genes are expressed in the context of MS. He will use different statistical modelling methods to understand how epigenetics affects MS onset, disease progression and severity.  

MS is also known to behave differently in males and females. To explain why, Dr Xavier and his team will investigate how biological sex influences DNA methylation and MS. They will study DNA methylation on X and Y chromosomes and determine how it may cause differences in severity and incidence observed in MS. 

Finally, the team will map all the interactions between the genetic code, DNA methylation and gene expression originating from the most important region of the genome for MS, the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC).