Genetic polymorphism of manganese superoxide dismutase is associated with childhood asthma.
OBJECTIVE
Cellular defenses against allergens and reactive oxygen species (ROS) exposure are critical in the pathogenesis of asthma. CD14 is a receptor for various bacterial products, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and is also a mediator of inflammatory processes. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is an ROS scavenger, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) can convert hydrogen peroxide into hypochlorous acid; thus, they are considered to be involved in inflammatory defense. The authors conducted a case-control study to evaluate the susceptibility to childhood asthma based on CD14, MnSOD, and MPO genes.


METHODS
The CD14 -260, MnSOD -9, and MPO -463 genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reactions for 116 asthmatic children and 232 healthy controls. Questionnaires were administered to obtain demographic characteristics. Allergen testing used common Taiwanese aeroallergens.


RESULTS
A higher level of parental education, family history of asthma, incense burning at home, allergen-test positive, and the MnSOD Val-Ala/Ala-Ala genotypes (matched relative risk = 2.0; 95% confidence interval = 1.0-4.2) were significantly associated with childhood asthma. Interactions between CD14, MnSOD, MPO genotypes and allergy status were significantly associated with asthma risk in these children (all p <.001). Furthermore, atopic cases with MnSOD Val-Ala/Ala-Ala (log eosinophil 2.66/mm(3), log total serum immunoglobulin E [IgE] 2.48 IU/ml) or Val-Val (log eosinophil 2.61/mm(3), log total serum IgE 2.63 IU/ml) genotypes had elevated eosinophil counts and total serum IgE levels as compared to nonatopic cases with MnSOD Val-Val genotype (log eosinophil 2.27/mm(3), log total serum IgE 1.83 IU/ml).


CONCLUSIONS
Susceptible MnSOD genotypes might modulate the development of asthma in Taiwanese children.
Kuo Chou
Tsai-Nung
TN
Institute of Medicine, College of Health Care and Management, Chung-Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Li
Ying-Shiuan
YS
Lue
Ko-Huang
KH
Liao
Che-Feng
CF
Lin
Chien-Yu
CY
Tzeng
Pei-Rung
PR
Wong
Ruey-Hong
RH
D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011336:Probability; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase