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Published on: September 22, 2023
Interactions between innate immunity genes and early-life risk factors in allergic rhinitis
Ju Hee Seo1, Hyung Young Kim2, Young Ho Jung3
1Department of Pediatrics, Korean Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Early life factors like antibiotic use, delivery mode, and feeding method significantly increase allergic rhinitis (AR) risk. Gene-environment interactions involving TLR4 and CD14 further elevate AR development, especially with combined early-life exposures.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent chronic condition influenced by multiple factors.
- Understanding early-life exposures and their impact on AR development is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of early-life factors (delivery mode, feeding method, antibiotic use) on AR development.
- To examine the interaction between these early-life factors and innate gene polymorphisms (TLR4, CD14) in AR pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1,828 children aged 9-12 years.
- Assessment of early-life factors and AR via questionnaire; skin prick tests performed.
- Genotyping of TLR4 (rs1927911) and CD14 (rs2569190) polymorphisms.
Main Results:
- Infant antibiotic use was associated with increased AR risk (aOR 1.511).
- Synergistic interactions were observed between C-section, formula feeding, and antibiotic use in atopic AR development (aOR 3.038).
- Specific genotypes (TLR4 CC, CD14 TT) combined with all three early-life factors showed significantly elevated AR risk (aORs ranging from 5.127 to 6.714).
Conclusions:
- Delivery mode, feeding method, and infant antibiotic use exhibit synergistic effects on AR development.
- Gene-environment interactions between innate gene polymorphisms and early-life risk factors play a significant role in AR pathogenesis.
Purpose:
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic disease. Many factors could affect the development of AR. We investigated early-life factors, such as delivery mode, feeding method, and use of antibiotics during infancy, which could affect the development of AR. In addition, how interactions between these factors and innate gene polymorphisms influence the development of AR was investigated.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study of 1,828 children aged 9-12 years was conducted. Three early-life factors and AR were assessed by a questionnaire. Skin prick tests were done. Polymorphisms of TLR4 (rs1927911) and CD14 (rs2569190) were genotyped.
Results:
Use of antibiotics during infancy increased the risk of AR (aOR [95% CI] 1.511 [1.222-2.037]) and atopic AR (aOR [95% CI], 1.565 [1.078-2.272]). There were synergistic interactions between caesarean delivery, formula feeding, and use of antibiotics in the rate of atopic AR (aOR [95% CI], 3.038 [1.256-7.347]). Additional analyses revealed that the risk for the development of AR or atopic AR subjects with the TLR4 CC genotype were highest when all the 3 early-life factors were present (aOR [95% CI], 5.127 [1.265-20.780] for AR; 6.078 [1.499-24.649] for atopic AR). In addition, the risk for the development of AR or atopic AR in subjects with the CD14 TT genotype were highest when all the 3 early-life factors were present (aOR [95% CI], 5.960 [1.421-15.002] for AR; 6.714 [1.440-31.312] for atopic AR).
Conclusions:
Delivery mode, feeding method, and use of antibiotics during infancy appeared to have synergistic interactions in the development of AR. Gene-environment interactions between polymorphism of innate genes and early- life risk factors might affect the development of AR.
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