High-level expression of early growth response-1 and association of polymorphism with total IgE and atopy in allergic rhinitis adults.
BACKGROUND
Early growth response-1 (Egr-1) is expressed in human airways and its polymorphisms have been associated with total IgE and atopy in asthmatic patients. We investigated the effects of Chinese-tagging single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of Egr-1 and its mRNA expression on allergic rhinitis (AR) traits.


METHODS
Among 214 Chinese AR adults and 259 controls, tag SNP -4071 A-->G was genotyped and mRNA expression in peripheral blood was quantified by real-time PCR.


RESULTS
Egr-1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in patients than controls (median of 0.23 vs 0.15 fold GAPDH expression; p<0.001). Its expression was not associated with -4071 polymorphism. However, significant correlations were found between -4071 A-->G with increased plasma total IgE (p=0.028) and atopy (p=0.030) in patients. Logistic regression confirmed the association (p=0.034) with age and gender adjusted. Patients homozygous for the A allele had a 2.3-fold and 1.9-fold risks, respectively of having increased plasma total IgE and atopy than those G allele carriers.


CONCLUSIONS
We showed high levels of Egr-1 mRNA expression and demonstrated a significant association of polymorphism with increased plasma total IgE and atopy in AR patients. It may be useful to explore the pharmacogenetics of Egr-1 inhibitors.
Chan
Iris H S
IH
Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Lee
Dennis L Y
DL
Ho
Osan Y M
OY
Wong
Eddy W Y
EW
Lam
Yvonne Y O
YY
Tang
Nelson L S
NL
Chan
Michael H M
MH
Abdullah
Victor J
VJ
Wong
Chun K
CK
Lam
Christopher W K
CW
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017931:DNA Primers; D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007073:Immunoglobulin E