Investigation of the eotaxin gene −426C→T, −384A→G and 67G→A single-nucleotide polymorphisms and atopic dermatitis in Italian children using family-based association methods

Summary Background. Eotaxin plays an important role in atopic dermatitis (AD) as a potent chemoattractant and activator of eosinophils and T‐helper 2 lymphocytes. Aim. To investigate whether single‐nucleotide polymorphisms of the eotaxin gene are associated with AD, we investigated the genotype and allelic frequencies of −426C→T, −384A→G, and 67G→A SNPs in 130 Italian families. Methods. In total, 130 children with either the extrinsic allergic or intrinsic nonallergic forms of AD (EAD and IAD) were recruited from 130 families. Genotyping was performed using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results. A significant difference was observed in the genotype frequency of the −426C→T SNP between children with EAD and those with IAD (P = 0.01), and between children with EAD and controls (P = 0.01). The allele frequencies of the −426C→T SNP were significantly different between children with EAD and those with IAD (P