Interferon regulatory factor 5 (<i>IRF5</i>) gene variants are associated with multiple sclerosis in three distinct populations

These findings add IRF5 to the short list of genes shown to be associated with MS in more than one population. Our study adds to the evidence that there might be genes or pathways that are common in multiple autoimmune diseases, and that the type I interferon system is likely to be involved in the development of these diseases.