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Role of IL-13 Genetic Variants in Signalling of Asthma

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Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lower airways characterised by intermittent airway narrowing and airflow obstruction. The aim of this study was to examine the association of IL-13 Arg 130 Gln (A/G) and -1112C/T cytokine gene polymorphisms and to know the secretion of IL-13 cytokine levels and the interactions between the IL-13 130A/G and IL-13Rα1/IL-4Rα complex cytokine genes. The study population comprised of atopic and non-atopic asthma patients and healthy controls (HC) (N = 120). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). IL-13 cytokine serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and homology modelling of IL-13 A/G cytokine gene was performed through in silico analysis. In IL-13 130A/G cytokine gene AG, GG genotypes (p < 0.0042, OR = 2.87, CI 1.46–5.65; OR = 1.92, CI 1.06–3.48) were found to be significant in atopic asthma patients vs HC. The mean IL-13 serum cytokine levels were found to be significantly high in atopic (38.48 ± 36.54) and non-atopic (36.05 ± 34.54) asthma patients whereas total serum IgE levels were significantly high at p < 0.0001 in atopic and low in non-atopic asthma patients at p < 0.003 compared to HC. In silico analysis indicated that residue IL-13 130 with charge modifying variants was crucial in ligand-receptor interactions. IL-13 cytokine serum levels were significantly high in atopic and non-atopic asthma patients compared to HC. The GG genotype of IL-13 130A/G cytokine gene might be involved in the induced production of total IgE and IL-13 cytokine serum levels suggesting IL-13 may be important in the signalling of asthma.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the staff of allergy clinic for the assistance in sample collection. We also thank for the financial support provided by the Bhagwan Mahavir Medical and Research Centre, Hyderabad.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bhagwan Mahavir Medical Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500004, India

    Madhavi Latha Alasandagutti, Mohd Soheb Sadat Ansari & Sumanlatha Gaddam

  2. Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India

    S. R. Sagurthi & Sumanlatha Gaddam

  3. LEPRA India—Blue Peter Public Health & Research Centre, Cherlapally, Hyderabad, Telangana, 501301, India

    Vijayalakshmi Valluri

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We thank the Bhagwan Mahavir Medical and Research Centre, Hyderabad, for the financial support provided to carry out this research work.

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Alasandagutti, M.L., Ansari, M.S.S., Sagurthi, S.R. et al. Role of IL-13 Genetic Variants in Signalling of Asthma. Inflammation 40, 566–577 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-016-0503-3

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