Interleukin-18 and IL18 −607A/C and −137G/C Gene Polymorphisms in Patients with Penicillin Allergy

ISSN： 0300-0605

Source： The Journal of International Medical Research, Vol.39, Iss.2, 2011-03, pp. : 388-398

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Abstract

This study investigated the association between polymorphisms (−607A/C and −137G/C) in the promoter region of the IL18 gene (which encodes interleukin [IL]-18) and serum levels of IL-18, using standard genotyping techniques (sequence specific primer–polymerase chain reaction) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively, in patients allergic to penicillin. A higher frequency of A alleles and the AA genotype was found at position −607A/C in patients allergic to penicillin than in control subjects. For the −137G/C position, the C allele was more frequent in patients allergic to penicillin than in control subjects. Haplotype analysis showed that the −607A/−137C haplotype was more frequent in patients allergic to penicillin than in control subjects. The patients had a significantly higher serum IL-18 level than the control subjects. In conclusion, IL18 −607A/C and −137G/C promoter polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to penicillin allergy. In particular, the −137G/C position appears to play an important role in IL18 expression.