We compared 177 asthmatic pediatric patients with 194 healthy children. Five polymorphisms within IL4, IL13 and IL4Rα genes were analyzed. Genotypes of four polymorphisms (rs2243250, rs2227284, rs1805011, rs20541) were assigned by TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays (Applied Biosystems), whereas rs18050100 polymorphism was established using PCR-RFLP method.
We observed an association of rs1805011 polymorphism of IL4Rα gene with allergy (p = 0.021), mild asthma (p = 0.00005) and atopic dermatitis (p = 0.0056). Significant correlation was found between rs20541 in IL-13 gene and the positive skin prick test results (p = 0.029), along with rs2243250 polymorphism with clinical atopy (p = 0.033) and rs2227284 with total IgE levels (p = 0.00047). No associations were found for rs1805010.
Our results indicate that rs1805011 polymorphism of IL4Rα gene seems to influence allergy risk, especially mild asthma and atopic dermatitis predisposition in Polish children. Subgroup analysis of three other SNPs revealed possible influence on allergy development.