title: Association of TLR-4 and TNF-alpha polymorphisms with clinical symptoms and cytokine levels in patients with allergic rhinitis.
abstract: Our objective was to determine the frequency of TNF-alpha -238, -308 G/A promoter and TLR-4 299 D/G and 399 T/I polymorphisms in healthy population and in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, and to examine its influences on serum TNF-alpha, TNF receptor-1, Fas, Fas-ligand, IgE levels and on clinical symptoms. A pilot study was performed in 66 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis to ragweed pollen and 161 non-allergic subjects using PCR-RFLP technique and ELISA. Carriers of the -238A and -308G alleles have significantly higher TNF-alpha and IgE levels, clinical score values and lower peak nasal flow (PNIF) values during and after ragweed pollen season. Patients with the 299G/399I alleles of the TLR-4 gene have significantly lower TNF-alpha, Fas, FasL and IgE levels, clinical scores and higher PNIF values during and after pollen season. The -238A and -308G polymorphisms of the TNF-alpha promoter and 299D/399T polymorphisms of the TLR-4 gene are associated with more pronounced clinical symptoms, higher cytokine and IgE levels, and low PNIF values. These polymorphisms are very likely to contribute to the heterogeneity of clinical and laboratory parameters of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Semmelweis University, Szigony u. 36, Budapest, 1083, Hungary.
authors.forename: Magdolna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krasznai
authors.forename: Kinga
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szaniszlo
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kraxner
authors.forename: Eszter
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vargha
authors.forename: Margit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: Zoltan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Borocz
authors.forename: Edit
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaszas
authors.forename: Gyorgyi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mezei
authors.forename: Endre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cserhati
authors.forename: Karoly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cseh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D004247:DNA