Polymorphism of the CD14 gene in perennial allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Allergic diseases have strong genetic backgrounds. Recently, a C-T polymorphism in the promoter region of CD14 has been associated with phenotypes of atopy in some populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of CD14/-159 polymorphism with total serum IgE levels and number of positive skin prick tests in Korean population with perennial allergic rhinitis. Prospective study. Deoxyribonucleic acid obtained from 164 children with perennial allergic rhinitis and 160 healthy controls were typed for the promoter polymorphism of CD14 gene at position -159 by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Genotype frequencies, total serum IgE levels, and the number of positive skin tests for each genotype were compared. There were no significant differences in the CD14/-159 genotype frequencies between the allergic rhinitis group and the control group. In the skin prick test-positive population, the CC homozygotes were associated with higher serum total IgE levels and greater number of positive skin tests compared with subjects with CT and TT alleles (P<0.05). The results from the present study suggest that CD14/-159 polymorphism may play a role in the development of perennial allergic rhinitis in Korean children.