Association of STAT6 gene polymorphism with atopic asthma among Yemeni children in Sana'a city, Yemen.

BACKGROUND

Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children and is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, increased production of mucus, and significant inflammation. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) is a crucial gene in immune response, specifically in atopic reactions. It plays a role in the IL-4 and IL-13 signaling pathways in asthma and allergies.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the association between the STAT6 rs324011 gene polymorphism and atopic asthma among Yemeni children as well as to investigate the impact of the STAT6 rs324011 polymorphism on IL-13, total IgE, and eosinophils.

METHODS

This study included 75 Yemeni children diagnosed with bronchial asthma and 75 healthy controls matched for age and sex. The STAT6 polymorphism (rs324011) was genotyped using RFLP PCR, the IL-13 serum level was measured via ELISA, and the serum IgE level was measured via electrochemiluminescence.

RESULTS

Under a recessive model, the TT genotype of the STAT6 polymorphism rs324011 was significantly associated with an increased risk of atopic asthma compared to the CC and CT genotypes (χ = 6.6, OR = 2.5, CI = 1.2-5, p = 0.01). IgE levels among asthmatic children were significantly elevated in individuals with the TT genotype compared with those with the CC or CT genotypes (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

The TT genotype and T allele of the STAT6 rs324011 polymorphism may be associated with increased susceptibility to pediatric asthma among Yemeni children.