Association of Toll-Like Receptor 6 (TLR6) Polymorphism Pro249Ser with Asthma Phenotypes

Abstract

RATIONALE: Toll-like receptor 6 (TLR 6) is an important receptor that mediates interaction with fungal components. Fungal allergens have been associated with asthma susceptibility and severity. The association of genetic polymorphisms in TLR6 with asthma phenotypes remains to be clarified although there are a few reports about it.METHODS: The polymorphism Pro249Ser in TLR6 was genotyped in an asthmatic population recruited for a healthy home project, and examined for association with allergic sensitization to common allergens, asthma severity and emergency visit and related factors.RESULTS: The T allele (Ser) in Pro249Ser of TL6 was not significantly associated with asthma severity or allergic sensitization to either all common allergens or to all common fungi in the population. T allele in Pro249Ser of TLR6 was associated with lower risk of emergency visit in asthmatic patients at close to threshold level (p=0.06). Asthma patients with T allele had about 5 fold less risk for emergency visit.CONCLUSIONS: The polymorphism Pro249Ser of TLR6 tends to be associated with asthma emergency visits. The conclusion is being replicated in larger studies. RATIONALE: Toll-like receptor 6 (TLR 6) is an important receptor that mediates interaction with fungal components. Fungal allergens have been associated with asthma susceptibility and severity. The association of genetic polymorphisms in TLR6 with asthma phenotypes remains to be clarified although there are a few reports about it. METHODS: The polymorphism Pro249Ser in TLR6 was genotyped in an asthmatic population recruited for a healthy home project, and examined for association with allergic sensitization to common allergens, asthma severity and emergency visit and related factors. RESULTS: The T allele (Ser) in Pro249Ser of TL6 was not significantly associated with asthma severity or allergic sensitization to either all common allergens or to all common fungi in the population. T allele in Pro249Ser of TLR6 was associated with lower risk of emergency visit in asthmatic patients at close to threshold level (p=0.06). Asthma patients with T allele had about 5 fold less risk for emergency visit. CONCLUSIONS: The polymorphism Pro249Ser of TLR6 tends to be associated with asthma emergency visits. The conclusion is being replicated in larger studies.