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Association between pro‐inflammatory alleles and allergic phenotypes in Xhosa adolescents
Author(s) -
Laurence Craig,
Merwe Lize,
Zhang Guicheng,
Le Souëf Peter,
Levin Michael
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/pai.12859
Subject(s) - medicine , xhosa , single nucleotide polymorphism , genotyping , allele , immunology , allergy , population , genotype , disease , genetic predisposition , genetics , gene , biology , pathology , environmental health , philosophy , linguistics
Background Significant differences exist in the prevalence, spectrum, and severity of allergic diseases between developing and developed countries and between subpopulations within single countries. These discrepancies likely result from a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. However, the precise nature of the contribution of ethnicity to genetic differences in the predisposition to allergic disease is not yet fully understood. In particular, there is a paucity of literature regarding the genetic determinants of allergic disease in people of black African origin with little or no genetic admixture. Objective We aimed to analyze associations between 27 single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNP s) and allergy phenotypes in the local Xhosa population. Methods A convenience sample of 213 Xhosa teenagers was enrolled at a local high school. Phenotypic data were collected in the form of a symptom questionnaire, skin prick tests for common food and aeroallergens, total serum IgE, and IgE to Ascaris lumbricoides . In addition, genotyping was performed to establish the prevalence of putative pro‐inflammatory alleles. Results We demonstrated several significant associations between polymorphisms and allergy phenotypes. In particular, 2 polymorphisms in the IL ‐10 gene ( IL 10 ‐592A>C and IL 10 ‐1082A>G) and 1 in the IL ‐4 gene ( IL 4 ‐589C>T) showed multiple associations with allergic sensitization and asthma phenotypes. Other polymorphisms, across a multitude of genes with discrepant functions, showed less consistent associations. Conclusion This study represents an important first step in genotype/phenotype association in this population. Further research is required to confirm or refute our findings.