title: Association between TNF-alpha and TGF-beta genotypes in infants and parental history of allergic rhinitis and asthma.
abstract: The development and expression of allergic rhinitis and asthma may be influenced by the elaboration of specific cytokines. Cytokine genotypes moderate illness severity in a variety of inflammatory disorders. Cytokine genotyping was performed on 124 infants (85% white, 57% male) to determine whether specific cytokine genotypes are associated with a parental history of allergic rhinitis and/or asthma. DNA was extracted from buccal brushings and assayed for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 genotypes using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer technology. Outcomes consisted of parental history of allergy and asthma, and results were evaluated by logistic regression. TNF-alpha and TGF-beta genotypes were related to maternal and/or paternal history of allergic rhinitis and asthma, respectively. The frequencies of the genotype associated with high production of TNF-alpha were 41% versus 18% in infants with and without a parental history of allergic rhinitis, respectively (p < 0.01). The frequencies of the genotype associated with low production of TGF-beta1 were 14% versus 1% in infants with and without a parental history of asthma, respectively (p < 0.01). There were no associations between IFN-gamma, IL-6, and IL-10 genotypes and any of the outcome parameters. These results suggest a role for TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 genotypes in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis and asthma, respectively. If confirmed by future studies, cytokine genotyping may be a useful tool for identifying at-risk infants who may benefit from the selective use of preventative and/or early intervention treatments for these disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Allegheny General Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA. Dgentile@wpahs.org
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeevi
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howe-Adams
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trecki
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Skoner
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha