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Polymorphisms in the interleukin 17F gene (IL17F) and asthma
C D Ramsey1, R Lazarus, C A Camargo
1Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Genes and Immunity
|February 11, 2005
Summary
Interleukin-17F (IL17F) gene variants were investigated for their association with asthma. This study found no significant link between IL17F single-nucleotide polymorphisms or haplotypes and asthma development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Interleukin-17F (IL17F) is a cytokine regulating T-cell immune responses.
- The IL17F gene is located on chromosome 6p, a region associated with asthma.
- IL17F is expressed in lung tissue and relevant immune cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in the IL17F gene and asthma.
- To characterize novel polymorphisms within the IL17F gene.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of the IL17F gene in African American and European American cohorts.
- Identification and characterization of IL17F SNPs and insertion/deletion polymorphisms.
- Genotyping of five IL17F polymorphisms in Nurses' Health Study participants.
- Association testing between IL17F variants and physician-diagnosed asthma.
Main Results:
- Fifty novel SNPs and two insertion/deletion polymorphisms were identified in the IL17F gene.
- No statistically significant association was found between the tested IL17F SNPs or haplotypes and asthma.
- The identified polymorphisms provide resources for future genetic association studies.
Conclusions:
- The IL17F gene, despite its location and role in immunity, does not appear to be a major genetic contributor to asthma in the studied population.
- Further research may explore the identified IL17F polymorphisms in relation to other immune-mediated phenotypes.