Genetic polymorphism of thymic stromal lymphopoietin in Korean atopic dermatitis and allergic march patients

Background: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) gene is associated with pathogenesis in atopic dermatitis and allergic march. TSLP gene has been revealed to have different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) patterns according to ethnic and allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether the polymorphisms in the TSLP gene are associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic march (AM) in the Korean population. Methods: Four SNPs (rs3806932, rs3806933, rs2289276, rs2289278) were analyzed via Sanger method in three groups of 91 AD patients, 74 AM patients and 131 controls. Haplotype analysis was performed, while the association between TSLP genotypes and their serum IgE level and eosinophil count was investigated. Results: Two SNPs (rs2289276, rs2289278) have possible correlation with the susceptibility to AM. Also, three SNPs (rs3806932, rs3806933, rs2289276) showed high association and their GTT haplotype is strongly associated with AM. No significant association was found between these genotypes and their level of serum IgE and eosinophil count. Conclusion: In this study, the results suggest that TSLP gene polymorphism is significantly associated with risk of allergic march in Korean population.