Cytokine gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic irritant contact dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Cytokines play an important role in skin inflammation.


OBJECTIVE
We determined whether polymorphisms in cytokine genes contribute to the occurrence of occupational chronic irritant contact dermatitis (CICD).


METHODS
In a case-control study, 9 polymorphisms in the genes coding for interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-8, IL-10, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were determined in 197 patients with CICD. 217 apprentices in vocational training for high-risk occupations for CICD served as controls.


RESULTS
For all polymorphisms, no differences in genotype distributions were found between patients and controls. However, in patients with self-reported low levels of wet work and irritant exposure, more TNFA -308 variant genotypes (G/A and A/A) were present compared with those exposed to higher levels or controls, which indicates a TNFA-induced increase of susceptibility. In patients with TNFA -308 variant genotypes, the prevalence of flexural eczema was higher (48% and 57%) compared with that in patients presented with wild-type genotype (30%). Regarding IL1A -889, prevalence of symptoms of dermatitis was lower in apprentices with T/T or C/T genotype (32% and 36%) compared with wild-type genotype (54%, C/C). This indicates a protective effect of these variant alleles in acquiring hand dermatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that some genetic variations alter susceptibility to (chronic) dermatitis. Knowledge of the impact of genetic differences on the risk of CICD is essential in predictive testing of individuals at risk.
de Jongh
Cindy M
CM
Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
John
Swen M
SM
Bruynzeel
Derk P
DP
Calkoen
Florentine
F
van Dijk
Frank J H
FJ
Khrenova
Liubov
L
Rustemeyer
Thomas
T
Verberk
Maarten M
MM
Kezic
Sanja
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000235:genetics; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000235:genetics*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
D053582:Interleukin-1alpha; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D004247:DNA