BACKGROUND: Vitamin D mediates immunomodulatory functions, and beneficial functions in allergic diseases have been suggested. Vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphisms are known but have not been studied in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the frequency of four common VDR gene polymorphisms in patients with AD, and their potential functional relevance. METHODS: In this case-control study, 265 patients with AD [n=142 severe AD, Scoring AD index (SCORAD) > 40; n=123 moderate AD, SCORAD 15-40] and 265 healthy controls were genotyped for four common VDR gene polymorphisms by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The VDR haplotype sequences were analysed in silico. Baseline and activation-induced gene expression of VDR and the vitamin D metabolizing enzyme CYP24A1 were analysed in monocytes of homozygous VDR haplotype carriers by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: In patients with severe AD, the VDR BsmI (rs1544410) G allele, ApaI (rs7975232) C allele and TaqI (rs731236) T alleles were over-represented compared with healthy controls. These single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were tightly linked, and the VDR haplotype GCT was correlated with severe AD and complementary AAC with protection from AD. The VDR haplotype GCT region is evolutionarily conserved. The VDR FokI (rs2228570) SNP was not associated with AD. Baseline VDR expression in monocytes and short-term activation were haplotype independent. CONCLUSION: A specific VDR haplotype is more frequent in patients with severe AD. These data indicate that VDR contributes to the control of AD, e.g. by regulation of the epidermal barrier function and/or local immune response.
BACKGROUND:Vitamin D mediates immunomodulatory functions, and beneficial functions in allergic diseases have been suggested. Vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphisms are known but have not been studied in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the frequency of four common VDR gene polymorphisms in patients with AD, and their potential functional relevance. METHODS: In this case-control study, 265 patients with AD [n=142 severe AD, Scoring AD index (SCORAD) > 40; n=123 moderate AD, SCORAD 15-40] and 265 healthy controls were genotyped for four common VDR gene polymorphisms by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The VDR haplotype sequences were analysed in silico. Baseline and activation-induced gene expression of VDR and the vitamin D metabolizing enzyme CYP24A1 were analysed in monocytes of homozygous VDR haplotype carriers by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: In patients with severe AD, the VDR BsmI (rs1544410) G allele, ApaI (rs7975232) C allele and TaqI (rs731236) T alleles were over-represented compared with healthy controls. These single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were tightly linked, and the VDR haplotype GCT was correlated with severe AD and complementary AAC with protection from AD. The VDR haplotype GCT region is evolutionarily conserved. The VDR FokI (rs2228570) SNP was not associated with AD. Baseline VDR expression in monocytes and short-term activation were haplotype independent. CONCLUSION: A specific VDR haplotype is more frequent in patients with severe AD. These data indicate that VDR contributes to the control of AD, e.g. by regulation of the epidermal barrier function and/or local immune response.
Authors: Kleyton de Carvalho Mesquita; Ana Carolina de Souza Machado Igreja; Izelda Maria Carvalho Costa Journal: An Bras Dermatol Date: 2013 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 1.896