ALOX15 gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD)

AERD is known to be exacerbated by ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug(NSAID).AERD patients are commonly found in female, and their asthmatic symptoms tend to be chronic and severe.However, the pathophysiologic mechanisms of this specific asthma phenotype have not yet been fully understood.In this study, we examined the ALOX15 gene polymorphisms (rs2664593 and rs7217186) in a Japanese adult population. Methods: DNA specimens were obtained from the following three groups:70 patients with AERD, 70 patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma(ATA), and 70 normal controls.Allelic discrimination assay for single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) relating to the ALOX15 gene expression was carried out by using previously described SNPs detective system, SSTEC. Results: The frequencies of the GG genotype of ALOX15(rs2664593) were higher than those of the GC/CC genotype in AERD patients compared to ATA patients and controls(P Conclusions: We were the first to analyze ALOX15 gene polymorphism in Japanese patients with AERD, and showed that ALOX15 gene polymorphism in Japanese patients with AERD is different from that in the patients with ATA.