Elene Camelia Berghea1, Luis O Popa2, Monica I Dutescu3, Mihaela Meirosu4, Ileana C Farcasanu5, Florian Berghea6, Constantin Bara1, Olivia M Popa1. 1. Department of Immunology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. 2. Department of Molecular Biology, "Grigore Antipa" National Museum of Natural History, Bucharest, Romania. 3. "Prof. Dr. C. T. Nicolau" National Institute of Blood Transfusion, Bucharest, Romania. 4. ICA Research and Development, Bucharest, Romania. 5. Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania. 6. Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: 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. MATERIAL AND 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
INTRODUCTION: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. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 106 patients with asthma (60 with aspirin tolerant asthma - ATA, 46 with aspirinintolerant 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/CLTC4S polymorphism as modulating factor of allergic inflammation in asthma. CONCLUSION: The results show that LTC4S-444A/C SNP is not associated with susceptibility to asthma in Romanian patients, but could influence asthma phenotype, namely aspirinintolerant asthma.
Authors: I Sayers; S Barton; S Rorke; B Beghé; B Hayward; P Van Eerdewegh; T Keith; J B Clough; S Ye; J W Holloway; A P Sampson; S T Holgate Journal: Thorax Date: 2003-05 Impact factor: 9.139