Abstract
Lambda interferons (IFNLs) have immunomodulatory functions at epithelial barrier surfaces. IFN-λ4, a recent member of this family is expressed only in a subset of the population due to a frameshift-causing DNA polymorphism rs368234815. We examined the association of this polymorphism with atopy (aeroallergen sensitization) and asthma in a Polish hospital-based case-control cohort comprising of well-characterized adult asthmatics (n = 326) and healthy controls (n = 111). In the combined cohort, we saw no association of the polymorphism with asthma and/or atopy. However, the IFN-λ4-generating ΔG allele protected older asthmatic women (>50 yr of age) from atopic sensitization. Further, ΔG allele significantly associated with features of less-severe asthma including bronchodilator response and corticosteroid usage in older women in this Polish cohort. We tested the association of related IFNL locus polymorphisms (rs12979860 and rs8099917) with atopy, allergic rhinitis and presence/absence of asthma in three population-based cohorts from Europe, but saw no significant association of the polymorphisms with any of the phenotypes in older women. The polymorphisms associated marginally with lower occurrence of asthma in men/older men after meta-analysis of data from all cohorts. Functional and well-designed replication studies may reveal the true positive nature of these results.
Highlights
Lambda interferons (IFNLs) have immunomodulatory functions at epithelial barrier surfaces
We examined the association of this polymorphism with atopy and asthma in a Polish hospital-based case-control cohort comprising of well-characterized adult asthmatics (n = 326) and healthy controls (n = 111)
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the IFNL locus on human chromosome 19 were discovered a few years ago to be associated with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections[2,3,4]
Summary
Received: 14 November 2016 Accepted: 10 August 2017 Published: xx xx xxxx older asthmatic women from aeroallergen sensitization and associate with clinical features of asthma. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the IFNL locus on human chromosome 19 were discovered a few years ago to be associated with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections[2,3,4]. Atopy, defined as increased predisposition to generate specific IgE to common allergens, and diagnosed in an individual subject by presence of aeroallergen sensitization, may lead to Th2-driven immune response to harmless allergens resulting in development of allergic diseases including asthma. Exacerbations in asthma are commonly associated with respiratory virus infections, and impaired innate immune responses have been documented in asthma patients[14, 15] Since both the development of atopic predisposition and asthma exacerbations may involve respiratory viral infections, we undertook this study with the hypothesis that these complex disorders are influenced by the IFN-λ4-generating polymorphism
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