Lack of association of atopy/asthma and the interleukin-4 receptor alpha gene in Japanese

Background Susceptibility to the development of atopic diseases is known to involve genetic factors. Several investigators have reported the interleuk in-4 (IL-4) receptor alpha gene to be involved in the development of atopy. Recent study has shown that the R allele of a polymorphism in the IL-4 rec eptor a chain gene (Q576R) to be associated with atopy. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible role of the IL-4 receptor alpha gene in modulating allergic response and asthma in the Japanese population. Methods We conducted linkage analysis using microsatellite markers flanking the IL-4 alpha receptor gene in 82 families ascertained through asthmatic children. The IL-4 receptor Q576R polymorphism was also genotyped by PCR-re striction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results We did not find evidence for linkage of the asthma and atopy phenot ypes with the markers D16S298 and D16S403 (P = 0.10 and P = 0.56, respectiv ely, for the atopy phenotype and P = 0.17 and P = 0.60. respectively, for t he asthma phenotype). The IL-4 receptor R576 allele was not preferentially transmitted to atopy- or asthma-affrcted children (chi(2) = 1.67, P = 0.24 for atopy and chi(2) = 0.91, P = 0.40 for asthma). In addition, the prevale nce of the R576 allele among parents with and without atopy was similar, 20 of 81 (24.7%) parents with atopy and 32 of 77 (28.6%) parents without atop y. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the IL-4 receptor a gene does not exe rt a substantial influence on the inheritance of atopy or asthma in this Ja panese population.