Association of allergic contact dermatitis with a promoter polymorphism in the IL16 gene.
BACKGROUND
There is evidence that IL-16, a cytokine that induces chemotactic responses in CD4(+) T cells, eosinophils, and dendritic cells, plays an important role during different types of cutaneous inflammatory responses, including allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and atopic dermatitis (AD).


OBJECTIVE
We sought to test for association between a promoter polymorphism in the IL16 gene (T to C transition at position -295) and ACD and AD, respectively.


METHODS
IL16 -295 genotypes were determined in samples from 2 separate case-control studies with white individuals. The first study included healthy individuals (n = 310) and patients with ACD (n = 86). These patients were polysensitized as defined by a contact sensitization to para-substituted aryl compounds and at least one other structurally unrelated allergen. The second study comprised healthy subjects (n = 214) and patients with AD (n = 94).


RESULTS
IL16 -295 genotypes were differently distributed among polysensitized and healthy control subjects (P =.0021). In particular, the IL16 -295*C/C genotype was overrepresented among polysensitized individuals (7.0% vs 1.0% in the control group; odds ratio, 7.68; 95% CI, 1.59-48.12). In contrast, there was no evidence for an association between the IL16 -295 polymorphism and AD.


CONCLUSIONS
The IL16 -295 promoter polymorphism might influence susceptibility to contact allergy.
Reich
Kristian
K
Department of Dermatology, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany.
Westphal
Götz
G
König
Inke R
IR
Mössner
Rotraut
R
Krüger
Ullrich
U
Ziegler
Andreas
A
Neumann
Christine
C
Schnuch
Axel
A
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D019410:Interleukin-16 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D010655:Phenylenediamines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D000485:Allergens; D019410:Interleukin-16; D010655:Phenylenediamines