title: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms are associated with sensitization to seasonal aeroallergens in asthmatic children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Childhood asthma phenotype is the consequence of interaction between environment and genetic factors. Nitric oxide (NO) formation is affected by polymorphisms in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes, which play a significant role as inflammatory factors in the airways. This study was undertaken to estimate the correlation of -786C>T and 894G>T polymorphisms of the eNOS gene with the sensitization of asthmatic children to common aeroallergens.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 193 asthmatic children and 96 healthy controls, who were of Mediterranean origin, living in the same geographical area, were enrolled in the study. 894G>T and -786T/C polymorphisms of the eNOS gene were analyzed using a PCR-RFLP method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 894GG genotype was more frequent (68.6%) in children with asthma sensitized to Oleaeuropaea than in those with asthma non-sensitized (43.0%) (P=0.004). Likewise, -786TT genotype frequency was higher in children with asthma sensitized to Oleaeuropaea (51.0%) than in those with asthma nonsensitized (31.7%) to this allergen (P=0.035). For the aeroallergens Parietariajudaica and mixed grass, the frequency of -786C allele carriage was associated with protection from sensitization to Parietariajudaica and mixed grass in asthmatic children (P=0.021 and P=0.017, respectively). In the healthy control group, the genotype frequencies for these polymorphisms were similar to genotype frequencies of children with asthma non-sensitized to these three specific aeroallergens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In children with asthma, 894G>T and -786T/C polymorphisms of the eNOS gene were correlated with sensitization to common seasonal aeroallergens.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Thrace, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iordanidou
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Thrace, Greece. eparaska@med.duth.gr.|Respiratory Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Academic General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100, Dragana Alexandroupolis, Thrace, Greece. eparaska@med.duth.gr.
authors.forename: Emmanouil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paraskakis
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tavridou
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Thrace, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chatzimichael
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Vangelis G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Manolopoulos
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
keywords: asthma; atopy; genetics; nitric oxide