# The Role of Selection and Migration in the Evolution of (Auto)Immunity Genes

## TL;DR

The study explores how selection and migration have influenced the evolution of genes related to autoimmunity, specifically in the context of multiple sclerosis.

## Contribution

The paper provides new evidence that multiple sclerosis-associated immunogenetic variants were positively selected in Asian and European populations.

## Key findings

- Multiple sclerosis associated immunogenetic variants underwent positive selection in Asian and European populations.
- Lifestyle and pathogen infections likely shaped the overall multiple sclerosis risk.
- A high percentage of autoimmunity associated genetic variants are under selection pressure.

## Abstract

The genetic architecture of multiple sclerosis is complicated. Additionally, the disease incidence varies per population or per geographical region. A recent study gives convincing explanations about the north–south incidence gradient of multiple sclerosis in Europe, by analyzing ancient and modern human genomes. Interestingly, the evidence shows that multiple sclerosis associated immunogenetic variants underwent positive selection in Asian and European populations. Lifestyle and pathogen infections probably shaped the overall multiple sclerosis risk. These results complete the findings of previous studies that showed that a high percentage of the autoimmunity associated genetic variants are under selection pressure.