Regulatory role ofIL10genetic variations in determining allergen-induced TH2 cytokine responses in children

Production of suppressive IL-10 by TH1 and TH2 cells limits the effects of the proinflammatory cytokines they secrete, thereby controlling the immune response and preventing tissue damage.1 Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region (rs1800896, rs1800871, and rs1800872) of the IL10 gene have been shown to alter IL-10 mRNA and protein levels2 and are associated with both TH2-related3 and TH1-related diseases.4 TH1 and TH2 cytokine responses of PBMCs have generally been examined after stimulation with inhalant allergens, such as house dust mite (HDM), and studied in allergic rather than unselected subjects. Few subjects had the variant (G) IL9 allele, and none were homozygous GG. [...]analyses of the associations between the IL9 promoter SNP and HDM-induced IL-9 cytokine levels were done on the AA and AG groups.