Association between polymorphisms in cytokine genes IL-17A and IL-17F and development of allergic rhinitis and comorbid asthma in Chinese subjects

Background

Th17 cell lineage, a distinct pro-inflammatory lineage characterized by preferential synthesis of cytokines IL-17A and IL-17F, is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR).

Objectives

Our aim was to investigate whether polymorphisms in and around IL-17A and IL-17F genes are associated with AR and comorbid asthma.

Methods

A case-control comparison was performed in a cohort of 279 AR patients, 197 allergic rhinitis with asthma (AR-A) patients and 281 control Chinese subjects, to investigate associations between 19 tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-17A and IL-17F gene regions and manifestation of AR or AR-A. Genotyping was performed using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform.

Results

SNP rs3819024 in IL-17A gene, intergenic SNPs rs1892280 and rs10807439 were specifically associated with AR protective or risk effects, while rs3819024 in IL-17A gene, intergenic SNP rs13192563 in IL-17F gene were associated with AR-A protective or risk effects. Haplotype analysis showed significant AR risk in haplotype AA (rs1892280G–rs13192563A) and AR protective effect in haplotype GT (rs7758579A–rs11966760T); the haplotype AT(rs7758579–rs11966760) were considered AR-A risk.

Conclusions

Our findings preliminarily indicate IL17A and IL17F SNPs, and some intergenic variants have the potential association with AR and comorbid asthma in Chinese population.