Previous findings regarding the role of TNF-a-308 gene polymorphism in multiple sclerosis (MS) are contradictory.This study's aim was to investigate the possible influence of TNF-a-308 polymorphism on MS susceptibility and MS disease process in a Croatian and Slovenian population. Genotyping was performed in 338 patients and 460 healthy controls. The TNF2 allele was present in 123 (26.8%) of healthy controls versus 67 (19.9%) of MS patients (p=0.023, odds ratio=0.68, 95% confidence interval=0.48-0.95), suggesting that carriage of the TNF2 allele might decrease MS risk. The difference of TNF2-allele carrier frequency between patients and controls was identified in relapsing-remitting (RR) MS group.There was no association between TNF2-allele carrier status and age at disease onset or disease progression. Our results suggest that in the study populations the TNF-a-308 polymorphism may play a role in MS susceptibility
