Genetic polymorphism and TH1/TH2 orientation.

BACKGROUND

It is likely that besides developmental and environmental factors, genetic factors also play an important role in Th1/Th2 orientation and susceptibility to related disorders. Thus, for each genetic factor involved one would expect an opposite pattern of susceptibility towards Th1- and Th2-associated diseases.

METHODS

We report a comparative analysis of the pattern of association of four genetic polymorphisms with bronchial asthma (Th2 disease) and Crohn's disease (CD; Th1 disease). The study population included 291 Roman children with bronchial asthma and 72 adult Romans with CD, and haptoglobin, adenosine deaminase (ADA), acid phosphatase locus 1 (ACP1) and MN phenotypes were determined.

RESULTS

Compared with controls from the same population, the pattern of phenotype association observed in bronchial asthma is exactly opposite to that observed in CD. The analysis of pairwise gametic type distribution for ACP1, ADA and MN polymorphisms has shown that the pattern of differences between bronchial asthma and controls is opposite to that observed between CD and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of differences between bronchial asthma versus CD is compatible with the hypothesis that some of the genetic systems considered contribute to Th1/Th2 orientation.