Study of Interleukin 23 Gene Polymorphism in Egyptian Patients with Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

Objective: Polymorphism of the interleukin-23 receptor gene corresponds with susceptibility to several immune-related diseases. For the terminal differentiation of IL-17-producing effector T-helper cells in vivo, the interleukin-23 receptor gene is of vital importance. As shown recently, Th17 cells probably have a great influence on the pathogenesis of allergic airway diseases. Our intention was to establish an association between polymorphisms in the IL-23R gene and allergic rhinitis (AR) in Egyptians. Methods: we included 100 AR patients and 75 control Egyptian subjects in a case-control study. The study involved obtaining blood samples for DNA extraction, genotyping and determination of a selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-23R by performing TaqMan assay PCR. Results: A substantially growing prevalence of the homozygous rs7517847 GG genotype and G allele appeared in the AR patients unlike that observed in the control individuals (p 0.001). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate an important association between polymorphisms in IL-23R and AR in the Egyptian population. A strong association between rs7517847 in a SNP of IL-23R, and AR was identified.