Polymorphism rs4787951 in IL-4R contributes to the increased risk of renal cell carcinoma in a Chinese population

Interleukins are important molecules involved in tumor formation. In this study, the association between renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on IL-4/IL-13/IL-4R was assessed. We recruited 620/623 cases/controls and conducted a case-control study. Five tagSNPs (i.e., IL-4R rs8832, IL-4R rs4787951, IL-13 rs1881457, IL-13 rs2066960 and IL-13 rs2069744) were selected. Odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained to appraise the association between SNPs and RCC susceptibility. Luciferase report assay and EMSA were conducted to investigate whether SNPs could affect binding affinity of transcription factors to target genes. IL-4R rs4787951T>C was significantly associated with RCC susceptibility. Individuals carrying CC genotypes had a significant increment in RCC risk compared with TT genotype carriers (adjusted OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.07–2.28, P = 0.020). By stratified analyses, more pronounced association was found in the female, diabetic or without smoking, drinking and hypertension group. Besides, SNP rs4787951 could influence the binding affinity of IL-4R to transcription factors. Sequence surrounding allele T was prone to bind transcription factor NFATc. This study revealed that IL-4R rs4787951T>C was associated with susceptibility of RCC and could be a predictive biomarker for RCC risk. •The association between polymorphisms on IL-4/IL-13/IL-4R axis and renal cell carcinoma risk was proposed.•IL-4R rs4787951 was associated with renal cell carcinoma risk.•IL-4R rs4787951 could influence the transcriptional activity of IL-4R.