Promoter polymorphisms of the CD14 gene are associated with atopy in Pakistani adults

Background: Several studies have shown that promoter polymorphisms of the CD14 gene are associated with atopic asthma. However, the results of association studies in different populations are confl icting. This study aimed to investigate the possible association between the CD14 polymorphisms A-1145G and C-159T and atopic phenotypes in Pakistani cohorts. Methods: Healthy controls (n=120) and atopic patients (n=220) were genotyped for the single-nucleotide polymorphisms C-159T (rs2569190) and A-1145G (rs2569191) using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction. Results: The genotype and allelic frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Overall, strong associations were observed between both C-159T (P=.02; Χ²=7.16) and A-1145G (P=.01; Χ²=7.88) and atopy. The G allele of A-1145G was significantly associated with atopy (P<.009; Χ²=6.72). When the data were stratified, the associations observed were due to the individual phenotypes: atopic asthma was significantly associated with A-1145G (P=.02; Χ²=7.18), whereas the association between C-159T and atopy was attributed to patients with allergic rhinitis (P=.01; Χ²=8.13). Conclusion: In Pakistani adults, the A-1145G polymorphism is associated with atopic asthma, whereas the C-159T polymorphism is significantly associated with allergic rhinitis.