title: Effect of interleukin-18 gene polymorphisms on sensitization to wheat flour in bakery workers.
abstract: Lower respiratory symptoms in bakery workers may be induced by wheat flour and endotoxins. We hypothesized that endotoxins from wheat flour may stimulate innate immunity and that interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene polymorphisms may affect their regulatory role in innate immune responses to endotoxins. To investigate the genetic contribution of IL-18 to sensitization to wheat flour, we performed a genetic association study of IL-18 in Korean bakery workers. A total of 373 bakery workers undertook a questionnaire regarding work-related symptoms. Skin prick tests with common and occupational allergens were performed and specific antibodies to wheat flour were measured by ELISA. Three polymorphisms of the IL-18 gene (-607A/C, -137G/C, 8674C/G) were genotyped, and the functional effects of the polymorphisms were analyzed using the luciferase reporter assay. Genotypes of -137G/C (GC or CC) and haplotype ht3 [ACC] showed a significant association with the rate of sensitization to wheat flour. Luciferase activity assay indicated ht3 [AC] as a low transcript haplotype. In conclusion, the regulatory role of IL-18 in lipopolysaccharide-induced responses in bakery workers may be affected by this polymorphism, thus contributing to the development of sensitization to wheat flour and work-related respiratory symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Gyu-Young
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Hur
authors.forename: Hyun Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Hyunna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hae-Sim
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014908:Triticum / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000906:Antibodies; D020382:Interleukin-18