Association between an interleukin-13 promoter polymorphism and atopy.
Several studies indicate genetic involvement of Th2 cytokines in allergic diseases. Interleukin (IL)-13 has been mapped to the cytokine cluster on chromosome 5q31-33, which has been associated with atopic conditions. Recently, an association was reported between the T allele in a promoter polymorphism in the IL-13 gene (C to T exchange) at position -1055 and allergic asthma in a population study in the Netherlands. This observation was apparently confirmed in a case-control study using probands and spouses from a Dutch asthma family study, but the polymorphism in that study was reported to occur at position -1111. In the present study, we established that this polymorphism is located at position -1024 relative to the ATG translation initiation codon, and investigated whether it confers a genetic predisposition to atopic conditions and the Th1 condition multiple sclerosis (MS) in Caucasian subjects. We confirmed the association between the IL-13 -1024TT genoype and inhalation allergy (P = 2.4E-02). By combining the data from the three studies, we demonstrated a strong association (P = 1.09E-05) between the IL-13 -1024 marker and inhalation allergy. Furthermore, we showed for the first time that this association also exists in atopic dermatitis (P = 2.0E-02). No association with MS was found.
Hummelshoj
T
T
University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. tinahummelshoj@hotmail.com
Bodtger
U
U
Datta
P
P
Malling
H J
HJ
Oturai
A
A
Poulsen
L K
LK
Ryder
L P
LP
Sorensen
P S
PS
Svejgaard
E
E
Svejgaard
A
A
D001483:Base Sequence; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000235:genetics*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D018793:Interleukin-13; D007073:Immunoglobulin E