Meanwhile, the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) <i>growth arrest specific 5</i> (<i>GAS5</i>) interacts with GR through binding to the DNA-binding domain (DBD) region and reduces GR transcriptional activity.<b>Methods:</b> The purpose of our study was to evaluate the association between MS and polymorphisms within <i>NR3C1</i> (rs6189/6190, rs56149945, rs41423247) and <i>GAS5</i> (rs55829688) genes in 300 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 300 healthy subjects.<b>Results:</b> We demonstrated significant differences in distribution of genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies of rs6189, rs41423247 and rs55829688 between the study groups.<b>Conclusion:</b> Our data may suggest that rs6189, rs41423247 and rs55829688 are associated with the increased risk of MS development.
Glucocorticoids (GCs) play an important role in controlling chronic inflammatory diseases, like MS. Three polymorphisms in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene (N363S, ER22/23EK and the Bcl I C/G) have been shown to alter glucocorticoid sensitivity, and therefore may influence disease course.