소아 천식 환자의 혈청 총 IgE에서 IL-13 (+2044G/A)과 FCER1B (E237G)의 유전자 상호작용

Background: Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is essential for the synthesis of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) which is a critical risk factor for the development of asthma. The high-affinity IgE receptor β (FCER1B), which is expressed on mast cells and basophils, plays an important role in the IgE-mediated allergic response. Objective: To analyze the association between IL-13 (+2044G/A) and FCER1B (E237G) polymorphisms, and IgE production in asthmatic children. Method: Seven hundred sixty asthmatic children and 235 healthy controls were enrolled, and the levels of serum total IgE and blood eosinophil counts were evaluated. Pulmonary function test and methacholine challenge test were also performed. The genotypes of IL-13 (+2044G/A) and FCER1B (E237G) polymorphisms were analyzed by using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Result: IL-13 (+2044G/A) and FCER1B (E237G) polymorphisms were not associated with the development and phenotypes of asthma. However, in homozygote of variant genotypes, gene-gene interaction of IL-13 (+2044G/A) and FCER1B (E237G) polymorphisms was associated with an increase of serum total IgE, whereas in homozygote of wild genotypes, this interaction was not associated with an increase of serum total IgE (P=0.030). Conclusion: Gene-gene interaction between IL-13 (+2044G/A) and FCER1B (E237G) polymorphisms may be associated with increased levels of serum total IgE in children with asthma. (Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol 2008;28:284-291)