A New Target for MS Treatments: The LCK Gene Discovery

MS research is moving forward faster than ever, and a major 2024 study identifying ancestry-specific genetic variants is bringing us closer to understanding why MS affects people so differently – and how we might move toward more personalized MS care.

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If you've ever wondered why MS affects everyone so differently, this discovery could hold part of the answer. Researchers have identified specific genetic variants in a region of chromosome 1p35.2—where the LCK gene is located—that increase MS risk differently depending on your ancestry. 

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The LCK gene helps control how your immune system communicates and balances itself, and understanding these ancestry-specific variants brings us closer to knowing why inflammation develops in MS.

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This discovery moves us one step closer to truly personalized MS care that's designed around your symptoms, your ancestry, and your body's unique response. Just imagine a world where your treatment plan could be guided by your genetic profile instead of trial and error… That's the direction this research is pointing us toward.

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By the way, have we met? I’m Dr. Gretchen Hawley, an MS-Specialized Physical Therapist and founder of The MSing Link,  a research-based online program for people with MS, podcast, and book where I break down complex MS research and teach practical ways to move better, feel stronger, and take control of your health. Let’s walk through this exciting new breakthrough together.

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What Did Researchers Actually Discover?

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In 2024, scientists from the Alliance for Research in Hispanic MS (ARHMS) Consortium made headlines at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) conference. They discovered specific genetic variants at a location called chromosome 1p35.2 that increase MS risk—and here's what makes this so exciting: these variants are different depending on your ancestry.

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The research included over 7,000 people from Hispanic and African American backgrounds—populations that have been historically underrepresented in MS genetic research. What they found was fascinating: there are two distinct genetic variants at the same location, one specific to Native American ancestry and another to European ancestry, and they affect MS risk differently.

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In the study population, carriers of the Native American-associated variant (rs145088108) showed a more than two-fold higher relative risk of MS compared to non-carriers in that group. Further research is needed to confirm this across populations.

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Why This Location on Your DNA Matters

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Chromosome 1p35.2 is home to several genes that help regulate your immune system, including a gene, among others, called LCK. This gene acts like a control switch for immune cells called T-cells, helping them communicate and respond appropriately.

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LCK helps your T-cells know when to turn "on" to fight infections and when to turn "off" so inflammation doesn't get out of hand. In MS, where the immune system becomes overactive and starts attacking the body's own nerves, understanding how genes like LCK work becomes incredibly important.

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The LCK gene acts like a control switch for your immune system, helping T-cells know when to activate and when to quiet down. When LCK doesn't function properly, the immune system can lose its natural checks and balances, leading to immune dysregulation. In MS, where the immune system attacks the central nervous system causing myelin damage, understanding genes like LCK that control immune cell communication could be key to developing more targeted treatments.

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Think of LCK as your immune system's thermostat. When it's working properly, it helps maintain the right temperature. But when the settings are off—either too high or too low—the whole system can get out of balance.

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The LCK Gene and Your Immune Balance

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Research on the LCK gene has shed light on immune balance. Studies of individuals with rare, high-impact LCK mutations show that this gene is essential for healthy T-cell development and signalling—without it, the immune system can fail to mount adequate responses. Other work suggests that abnormal LCK signalling may also contribute to immune dysregulation and autoimmunity, though the pathways are not yet fully mapped.

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For people living with MS, researchers believe that immune regulation involving genes like LCK may play a role in the inflammatory attacks that damage myelin. The discovery of ancestry-specific variants in this region opens up new possibilities for understanding why some people develop MS and how their disease might progress differently.

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Why Is This Discovery So Exciting for Future MS Treatments?

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This breakthrough came from including Native American ancestry in MS genetic research—a population that's been historically underrepresented. That single shift to include more diverse data revealed ancestry-specific variants that may help explain differences in MS risk and disease behavior across populations.

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Here's why researchers are excited about this discovery:

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• It identifies new genetic targets. Understanding which specific variants increase MS risk helps researchers pinpoint potential therapeutic targets in the immune regulation pathway.
• It moves us toward personalized medicine. Knowing that genetic variants affect people differently based on ancestry means future treatments could be tailored to individual genetic profiles.
• It validates the importance of diverse research. This discovery would have been missed entirely if researchers had only studied European ancestry populations—highlighting how critical inclusive science is for everyone.

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LCK regulates T-cell activation, which is central to MS inflammation. While LCK-targeting treatments don't exist yet, understanding genetic variants in this immune regulation pathway brings us closer to the kind of balanced approach scientists have been searching for: treatments that work with your immune system instead of broadly suppressing it.

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This is the future of MS care—where treatment is guided not just by symptoms, but by your unique genetic makeup.

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Want a deeper dive into immune cell signaling and nervous system repair? Check out this episode of The MSing Link podcast with Dr. Terry Wahls.

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Why Diversity in MS Research Changes Everything

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One of the most meaningful aspects of this discovery? It only happened because scientists included diverse ancestry data in their research.

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Here's a sobering fact: In earlier genomic studies across many diseases (including MS), between ~80% and ~95% of participants were of European ancestry, meaning other populations were under-represented. That's a massive gap that means we've potentially been missing critical insights that could help people from other backgrounds.

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This 2024 research proves what many of us in the MS community have been saying: inclusive science helps everyone. The more diverse our research participants, the better we understand how MS behaves across different populations, and the more equitable and effective future treatments will be.

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When I attend conferences like the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) Annual Meeting each year, I'm always looking for research that expands our understanding and brings us closer to personalized care. This discovery represents exactly that kind of progress.

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What This Means for Your MS Journey

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So what does all this mean for you, right now?

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First, it means MS research is getting more personal—and that's incredibly hopeful. Each genetic discovery gives scientists a clearer map of how the immune system becomes unbalanced in MS. In the coming years, this could help doctors match treatments more precisely to each person's biology.

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Imagine a future where your neurologist could look at your genetic profile and predict which medications or lifestyle strategies will work best for you. That's the direction discoveries like this are leading us toward—it's the foundation of personalized medicine.

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Second, it validates what you already know: MS is different for everyone. Your experience with MS is shaped by countless factors—your genetics, your environment, your lifestyle, and your body's unique response to treatment. Understanding genetic variants helps explain why what works for one person might not work for another.

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Right now, these genetic variants aren't something your neurologist can test for in clinic. But every discovery like this brings us closer to a time when MS treatment will be guided by your DNA, not just trial and error.

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The Bigger Picture: Where MS Research Is Headed

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This genetic discovery is one piece of a much bigger puzzle that's moving us toward personalized, preventative, and empowering MS care. Here's what researchers predict over the next decade:

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In the next 2-5 years: Depression screening could become a standard part of MS care, thanks to research showing genetic links between depression and relapse risk.

In 5-10 years: Genetic testing could help doctors choose which disease-modifying therapy works best based on your specific biology.

Beyond 10 years: Preventative MS care could help high-risk families understand their genetics and make early lifestyle or medication choices to reduce risk.

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Each new discovery brings us closer to understanding MS on a deeper level—and that understanding will ultimately lead to smarter, safer, and more personalized care.

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What You Can Do Right Now to Support Your Health

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While scientists study how genes shape MS risk, you still have incredible power over how your body responds. This is where epigenetics comes in—the fascinating field showing that your lifestyle and environment can actually influence which genes "turn on" or "stay quiet."

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Things like stress management, quality sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and even your mindset can all affect how your genes behave. By supporting your health in these areas, you can help quiet inflammation and strengthen your body's ability to recover and repair.

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Here are evidence-based ways to support your body while research continues to advance:

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• Prioritize regular movement and MS-specific exercise. Research-based exercises designed for MS can help improve strength, balance, and mobility while supporting neuroplasticity—your brain's ability to create new pathways.
• Manage stress and build consistent sleep routines. Both chronic stress and poor sleep can trigger inflammation and worsen MS symptoms. Finding what works for you matters.
• Focus on anti-inflammatory nutrition. While no single diet "cures" MS, eating foods that support cellular repair and reduce inflammation can make a meaningful difference in how you feel.
• Stay curious about new MS research. Being informed helps you have better conversations with your healthcare team and make confident decisions about your care.‍
• Advocate for inclusive research. When you participate in research studies or support organizations funding diverse research, you're helping create a more complete picture of MS.

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A Step Toward Smarter, More Personalized MS Care

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Every new finding in MS research gives us a better understanding of what's happening inside the body, and this 2024 genetic discovery represents a significant step forward. Understanding ancestry-specific variants in regions like chromosome 1p35.2 helps researchers figure out how to restore immune balance in a more precise way.

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While gene-informed treatments aren't available yet, discoveries like this show how far MS research has come and how much closer we're getting to care that's designed around you—your genetics, your symptoms, your goals, and your life.

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As an MS-Specialized Physical Therapist, I find hope in research that brings us closer to understanding the "why" behind MS. Each discovery reminds me that we're moving in the right direction, toward a future where treatment isn't one-size-fits-all but truly personalized to each person's unique biology.

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You've Got This

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Research breakthroughs can feel overwhelming or abstract when you're living with MS symptoms day to day. But here's what I want you to take away from this: every discovery matters. Every step forward in understanding MS genetics brings us closer to better treatments, more personalized care, and ultimately, more control over your health.

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You don't have to wait for perfect treatments to make progress. Right now, today, you can focus on what's within your control—movement, stress management, sleep, nutrition, and staying connected to a supportive community that truly understands.

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Staying on top of MS research can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. Inside my MS Research Made Simple course, I break down 26+ hours of complex research into 10 simple, easy-to-follow modules that help you understand what the science really means for your health.

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Have questions about MS research, genetics, or how to apply these insights to your daily life? Send me a message on Instagram @doctor.gretchen—I'm always here to help!

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References & Further Reading

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This article is based on research presented at ECTRIMS 2024 by the Alliance for Research in Hispanic MS (ARHMS) Consortium. The study, "Novel ancestry-specific and putative causal genetic variants for multiple sclerosis identified by an ancestry-informed regression and trans-ethnic fine-mapping analysis," was led by Dr. Jacob McCauley from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

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Want to learn more about immune system research and MS? Check out my podcast episode featuring Dr. Terry Wahls, where we dive deep into immune cell signaling and nervous system repair: Listen on Spotify.

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