Association of Leukotriene C4 Synthase A-444C Polymorphism with Asthma and Asthma Phenotypes in Romanian Population

• Published in: Mædica Vol. 10; no. 2; pp. 91 - 96
• Main Authors: Berghea, Elene Camelia, Popa, Luis O, Dutescu, Monica I, Meirosu, Mihaela, Farcasanu, Ileana C, Berghea, Florian, Bara, Constantin, Popa, Olivia M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Romania Tarus Media 01.06.2015
• Subjects: Original Papers
• ISSN: 1841-9038; 2069-6116

Leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) gene -444A/C polymorphism has been implicated in susceptibility to asthma, but a large number of studies have reported inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the -444A/C polymorphism of LTC4S gene and asthma, asthma phenotypes (aspirin intolerant/tolerant asthma) and different characteristics of the patients. We included 106 patients with asthma (60 with aspirin tolerant asthma - ATA, 46 with aspirin intolerant asthma - AIA) and 103 controls. All the subjects were genotyped for LTC4S-444 A/C by Real-Time PCR. We assessed the association of LTC4S promoter polymorphism with asthma and its phenotypes and with clinical and biological characteristics of asthmatic patients. We did not find a significant association between the studied polymorphism and asthma, but the minor allele tended to be more frequent in AIA patients. We found a significant association between the minor allele C and lower levels of serum total immunoglobulin E and eosinophils, suggesting a possible role of -444A/C LTC4S polymorphism as modulating factor of allergic inflammation in asthma. The results show that LTC4S -444A/C SNP is not associated with susceptibility to asthma in Romanian patients, but could influence asthma phenotype, namely aspirin intolerant asthma.