IL-13 and IL-17A gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

BACKGROUND: The role of interleukin (IL) 13 and IL-17A in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the IL-13 and IL-17A gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with AERD.

METHODS: The single-nucleotide polymorphisms in each gene were examined in patients with AERD, patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA), and healthy controls.

RESULTS: Frequencies of the TT/CT genotype of the IL-13 -1111C>T gene were higher than frequencies of the CC genotype in AERD patients compared with ATA patients (P < .001). In female patients with AERD, frequencies of the TT/CT genotype were higher than those of the CC genotype compared with female patients with ATA (P < .001). However, genotype frequencies of IL-13 Arg110Gln did not differ between AERD and ATA patients. Frequencies of the CC genotype of the IL-17A -737C>T gene were higher than those of the TT/CT genotype in AERD patients compared with ATA patients (P = .02). In female patients with AERD, frequencies of the CC genotype were higher than those of the TT/CT genotype compared with female patients with ATA (P = .03). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (percentage predicted) in AERD patients with the CC genotype of the IL-13 -1111C>T gene was lower than that in the patients with the TT/CT genotype. AERD patients with the TT/CT genotype of the IL-17A -737C>T gene had a higher peripheral total eosinophil count compared with the patients with the CC genotype. The comparison of the clinical characteristics according to the IL-13 Arg110Gln gene polymorphism showed no difference.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the IL-13 -1111C>T and IL-17A -737C>T gene sequence variations might have a role in the development of AERD.