Ethnicity-specific gene-gene interaction between IL-13 and IL-4Ralpha among African Americans with asthma.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Genes in the interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13/IL-4Ralpha pathway have been shown to be associated with asthma and related phenotypes in some populations, but not in others. Furthermore, interaction between these genes has been shown to affect asthma in white and Chinese populations.

Objectives

To determine whether there are IL-4/IL-13 and IL-4Ralpha gene-gene interactions that are associated with asthma in African Americans.

Methods

Eighteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-4, IL-13, and IL-4Ralpha genes were genotyped in 264 African Americans with asthma and 176 healthy control subjects. We tested the SNPs for genetic associations and gene-gene interactions with asthma, baseline lung function, bronchodilator drug response, and total serum IgE levels.

SUBMITTER: Battle NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1899298 | biostudies-literature | 2007 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature