IL-1 polymorphisms modulates functional recovery following rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) cytokines as well as IL-1 genes are key regulators of neuroinflammation in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), with emerging roles in synaptic plasticity and tissue repair. While genetic determinants of MS susceptibility have been extensively characterized, their contribution to neurofunctional recovery remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether functional polymorphisms in IL-1 genes influence rehabilitation outcomes in MS, providing insight into immunogenetic determinants of recovery.

METHODS

We analyzed by Allelic Real-time PCR IL-1α rs3783521 and IL-1β rs16944, rs1143627, and rs1143634 polymorphisms in 162 MS patients undergoing inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation without concomitant disease-modifying therapies. Disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Modified Barthel Index (BI) at admission and discharge. Changes in disability (ΔEDSS, ΔBI) were evaluated using non-parametric tests and multivariable generalized linear models adjusted for clinical covariates.

RESULTS

IL-1β rs1143634 was associated with MS susceptibility, with the A allele conferring increased risk. All polymorphisms significantly influenced ΔEDSS in univariate analyses. In adjusted models, IL-1α rs3783521 and IL-1β rs1143634 A alleles were independently associated with greater functional improvement, whereas IL-1β rs16944 A allele was associated with reduced recovery. IL-1β rs1143627 showed a significant effect under a dominant model. Notably, combined carriage of IL-1α rs3783521 A and IL-1β rs16944 G alleles identified a subgroup with the greatest rehabilitation response. No consistent associations were observed for ΔBI.

CONCLUSION

IL-1α rs3783521, IL-1β rs16944 polymorphisms contribute to inter-individual differences in neurofunctional recovery following rehabilitation in MS. These findings support a role for neuroinflammatory genetic profiling in predicting rehabilitation outcomes and highlight immune-mediated mechanisms as modulators of CNS repair. This work provides a translational framework for integrating immunogenetics into personalized rehabilitation strategies.