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Objectives:
The aim of this
study was to clarify
the role of
interferon (IFN) γ
in the diagnosis and
follow-up of atopic
patients. We
genotyped the IFN-γ
polymorphism at
position +874 to
examine the
relationship between
serum levels of IFN-γ
and disease severity
and the role of IFN-γ
as a biochemical and
immunologic marker.
Methods: The
study population
comprised 75
patients suffering
from atopic asthma,
atopic dermatitis,
and allergic
rhinitis (25 each),
and 25 control
participants. Total
immunoglobulin (Ig)
E and serum IFN-γ
were measured by
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay,
the IFN-γ
polymorphism at
position +874 was
determined by
amplification
refractory mutation
system-polymerase
chain reaction, and
eosinophil
counts were
recorded.
Results:
There was a signifi
cant association
between genotype and
the frequency of the
A allele of the
+874T/A polymorphism
in atopic patients
when compared with
controls (P<.001).
In all 3 groups,
there was a signifi
cant increase in
total IgE levels and
eosinophil counts,
and a decrease in
serum IFN-γ levels
towards the presence
of homozygous AA
compared with
homozygous TT.
Conclusions:
The IFN-γ gene
polymorphism at
position +874
contributes to
susceptibility to
atopic diseases by
decreasing the
amount of IFN-γ.
Identification of
variants of IFN-γ
gene signalling and
its role in the
development of
atopic diseases
provides a focus for
the development of
novel diagnostic and
therapeutic
strategies for these
diseases.
Key words:
Interferon γ.
Polymorphism. Atopic
patients.
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