Genetic variations in chemoattractant receptor expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) is associated with asthma susceptibility in Chinese children.

We investigated the allele and genotype frequencies of two common CRTH2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) [G1544C and A1651G (rs 545659)] in the 3'-untranslated region and the relationship between these SNPs and serum IL-13 levels in Chinese children patients with asthma. For G1544C and A1651G SNPs, there were significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies between asthma patients and controls. Haplotype analysis yielded additional evidence of linkage disequilibrium for the 1544G-1651G haplotype (P < 0.01). Moreover, serum IL-13 levels were significantly different among genotypes in G1544C, A1651G SNPs. These results suggest that SNPs of G1544C and A1651G might be act as susceptibility genetic factors of asthma.