THE C-159T POLYMORPHISM OF THE CD-14 GENE AND CYTOKINE PROFILES IN ADULTS WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Introduction A C-to-T transition has been identified at position 159 in the promoter region of the CD14 gene. This functional single-nucleotide polymorphism C-159T has been associated with high levels of IgE and allergy. Methods The C-159T polymorphism of CD-14 gene was studied in 96 patients with atopic dermatitis. The control group included 90 non-atopic volunteers. The single nucleotide polymorphism of C-159T was detected by PCR. The levels of total IgE and TNF-α, IL-2, Y-IF, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, TGF-β cytokines in blood were detected by ELISA Patients and volunteers provided written informed consent for the genetic study. Results 34 patients had exogenous and 62 had endogenous atopic dermatitis. In the control group, the frequency distribution of genotypes (CC – 20 (22.2%), CT – 48 (53.3%), TT – 22 (24.5%)) was significantly different from those with atopic dermatitis (CC – 39 (40.6%), CT – 37 (38.5%), TT – 20 (20.9%), X2 = 7.45, p = 0.024). The prevalence of the CC genotype increases the risk (OR=1.798, p=0.043) of exogenous atopic dermatitis development being associated with high levels of total IgE, IL-5 and low IL-10, and TGF-β in blood. The risk of endogenous (OR=0.321, p=0.007) and exogenous (OR=0.484, p=0.045) atopic dermatitis development is decreased in CT and TT genotypes. Conclusions The risk of atopic dermatitis development in this Ukrainian population is increased with the prevalence of allele C and decreased with the allele T of the polymorphic region C-159T of the CD14 receptor.