title: Association of Leukotriene C4 Synthase A-444C Polymorphism with Asthma and Asthma Phenotypes in Romanian Population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) gene -444A/C polymorphism has been implicated in susceptibility to asthma, but a large number of studies have reported inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the -444A/C polymorphism of LTC4S gene and asthma, asthma phenotypes (aspirin intolerant/tolerant asthma) and different characteristics of the patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 106 patients with asthma (60 with aspirin tolerant asthma - ATA, 46 with aspirin intolerant asthma - AIA) and 103 controls. All the subjects were genotyped for LTC4S-444 A/C by Real-Time PCR. We assessed the association of LTC4S promoter polymorphism with asthma and its phenotypes and with clinical and biological characteristics of asthmatic patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We did not find a significant association between the studied polymorphism and asthma, but the minor allele tended to be more frequent in AIA patients. We found a significant association between the minor allele C and lower levels of serum total immunoglobulin E and eosinophils, suggesting a possible role of -444A/C LTC4S polymorphism as modulating factor of allergic inflammation in asthma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that LTC4S -444A/C SNP is not associated with susceptibility to asthma in Romanian patients, but could influence asthma phenotype, namely aspirin intolerant asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Elene Camelia
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Berghea
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, "Grigore Antipa" National Museum of Natural History, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Luis O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Popa
authors.affiliation: "Prof. Dr. C. T. Nicolau" National Institute of Blood Transfusion, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Monica I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Dutescu
authors.affiliation: ICA Research and Development, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meirosu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Ileana C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Farcasanu
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berghea
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Constantin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bara
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Olivia M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Popa