Canadian Researchers in the Global Network

In an international study of the genetics of AS involving 10 countries, SPARCC played a central role in defining the gene for Interleukin-1 as a risk factor for AS in different populations worldwide. Scientists genotyped nine variants in the Interleukin-1 gene cluster in AS cases and controls from 10 countries, and then tested association of variants with AS. Dr. Robert Inman comments: “International collaboration is critical to study genetics of such complex disorders as AS. Such collaborations can provide sufficiently large sample sizes to produce robust findings often not achieved in smaller studies. Canadian researchers are playing a critical role in this global network.”