Age-related blood transcriptional regulators affect disease progression in pediatric multiple sclerosis

The more aggressive clinical disease course of Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis(POMS) as compared to Adult Onset Multiple Sclerosis(AOMS) during the first year disease is supported by higher inflammatory potential promoted by transcriptional level of age-associated genes and transcription factors involved in Cell Cycle, B Cell proliferation and senescent mechanisms. Herein, we compared the blood mononuclear cell transcriptome of POMS and AOMS patients during first year disease. Pediatric Healthy and Adult subjects (PHC, AHC) were used as controls. Correlation analysis of the gene expression with the radiological sign, upstream regulators analysis and clinical assesment were also evaluated. A total of 38 MS patients (22 POMS and 16 AOMS) and 21 Healthy controls( 11 PHC and 10 AHC) were analyzed.