Association Between Polymorphisms Of The IL-23R Gene And Allergic Rhinitis In A Chinese Han Population

ObjectivePolymorphism of the interleukin-23receptor gene corresponds with susceptibility to several immune-related diseases. For the terminal differentiation of IL-17-producing effector T-helper cells in vivo, the interleukin-23receptor gene is of vital importance. As shown recently, Th17cells probably have a great influence on the pathogenesis of allergic airway diseases. Our intention was to establish an association between polymorphisms in the IL-23R gene and allergic rhinitis (AR) in the Chinese Han population.MethodsWe included358AR patients and407control Chinese subjects in a case-control comparison. The study involved obtaining blood samples for DNA extraction genotyping and determination of4selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-23R by performing PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP).ResultsA substantially growing prevalence of the homozygous rs7517847GG genotype and G allele appeared in the AR patients unlike that observed in the control individuals(P<0.001).In addition, substantially high frequencies of the GGCA and GGCG haplotypes were observed in the AR patients, unlike that observed in the control individuals (P<0.05). The results suggest that the AGTG haplotype may provide protection against AR (P<0.001).ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate an important association between polymorphisms in IL-23R and AR in the Chinese Han population. A strong association between rs7517847in a SNP of IL-23R, and AR was identified.