Association analysis of IL-23R polymorphisms in allergic rhinitis

Objective: Polymorphism of interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) gene was found being related with the susceptibility to several immune-related diseases. For the terminal differentiation of IL-17-producing effecter T-helper cells in vivo, the IL-23R gene is very important. As proved recently, Th17 cells might have a great influence to the pathogenesis of allergic airways disease. Our intention was paid to find any association between the polymorphisms in the IL-23R gene and allergic rhinitis(AR) in Chinese population.

Methods: A group of patients was involved in a case-control comparison, consisted of 239 AR patients and 271 control Chinese subjects. The study claimed to take some blood samples for DNA extraction and select 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-23R individually genotyped by the PCR-RFLP method.

Results: Comparison with the controls, a great growing prevalence of the homozygous rs7517847 GG genotype and G allele appeared in AR patients (P < 0.05, respectively). Besides, a great increased frequency of the GGA haplotypes was presented in AR patients in comparison with the controls (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The results demonstrated a important association pattern between polymorphisms in IL-23R and AR in Chinese population. Between rs7517847 in an SNP of IL-23R and AR, a great association was identified.