title: The relationship between polymorphisms of interleukin-4 gene and silicosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the relationship between polymorphisms of interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene (-33, +45, intron3, +429, +448) and the susceptibility of silicosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study was carried out. 101 silicosis patients were selected as cases. As strictly matching, 121 of non silicosis workers were selected as the controls. The polymophisms of IL-4 (five locus) were detected by the method of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GA genotype in the IL-4+429 locus and the CC genotype in the IL-4+448 locus were found. The frequencies of AA, GG and AG of IL-4+45 locus in the cases were 55.4%, 10.9%, and 33.7% and in the controls were 62.0%, 11.6%, and 26.4%. The differences between cases and controls were not significant. The frequencies of B1B1, B2B2, and B1B2 of intron3 VNTR locus in the cases were 73.3%, 1.0%, and 25.7% and in the controls were 68.6%, 1.7%, and 29.8%. The differences were not significant. The frequencies of TT, CC, and CT in -33 locus in the cases were 55.4%, 11.9%, and 32.7% and in the controls were 69.4%, 4.1%, and 26.4%. The differences were significant (P=0.034).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The relationship between genetic polymorphism of IL-4-33 site and silicosis has been found and -33TT is a protective genotype for silicosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei United University, Tangshan 063000, Hebei, China.
authors.forename: Guo Feng
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Xue Yun
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Fu Hai
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012829:Silicosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C508598:IL4 protein, human; D015847:Interleukin-4; D006046:Gold