Cross-sectional study on cytokine polymorphisms, cytokine production after T-cell stimulation and clinical parameters in a random sample of a German population (original) (raw)

Abstract.

We investigated, in a random sample of a German population, the association of polymorphisms in the genes encoding the cytokines interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 receptor (IL-4R), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10, interferon gamma (IFNG), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) with (1) secreted levels of the respective proteins after T-cell stimulation and (2) data on selected diseases obtained from a questionnaire. The scope of this investigation was to further the understanding of the genetic background of allergies and common colds and the observed heterogeneity of many immune responses in the human population. In contrast to previous reports that showed associations of promoter polymorphisms of cytokine genes with the production of the corresponding protein, we did not find associations with protein release after T-cell stimulation in vitro. Among the correlations with the clinical parameters, we observed an increased risk of allergies (odds ratio, OR=4.1; confidence interval, CI: 1.6–10.4), particularly hay fever (OR=5.6, CI: 1.8–17.1) in individuals homozygous for IFNG 13 CA-repeats. In combination with the TNF wildtype, the risk for hay fever increased to OR=8.4 (CI: 2.7–25.6). Furthermore, individuals with a combination of IL2, IL6 and ICAM-1 polymorphisms tended to have higher frequencies of reported common colds than individuals with the alternate genotypes. As these are results of an explorative investigation, these findings require confirmation in material from a different source. If confirmed, these relationships could contribute to a better characterisation of the genetic component of allergies.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Abteilung Klinische Epidemiologie, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany, , , , ,
    Alexandra Nieters, Stefanie Brems & Nikolaus Becker

Authors

  1. Alexandra Nieters
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. Stefanie Brems
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  3. Nikolaus Becker
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Electronic Publication

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nieters, A., Brems, S. & Becker, N. Cross-sectional study on cytokine polymorphisms, cytokine production after T-cell stimulation and clinical parameters in a random sample of a German population.Hum Genet 108, 241–248 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004390100464

Download citation

Keywords