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Association of tumor necrosis factor-α –308G>A polymorphism with IgE-mediated allergy to betalactams in an Italian population

The Pharmacogenomics Journal volume 8, pages 162–168 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is released from mast cells via an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-dependent mechanism. The variant G>A at –308 of TNFA is part of an extended haplotype HLA-A1-B8-DR3-DQ2 and influences the gene expression. We evaluated this variant in relation to IgE-mediated reactions to betalactams, in 427 subjects, including 167 cases and 260 age- and gender-paired controls. TNFA GG genotype was a significant independent predictor of the primary risk of betalactam allergy, concurrently with total IgE level, with an age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio estimated at 2.45 (95% confidence interval: 1.18–5.08, P=0.0163). Cases with –308AA genotype had a higher serum level of specific IgE than those with –308GA/GG genotype, with median levels (relative units) of 4.6 (inter-quartiles: 3.9–10.6) and 2.2 (1.4–4.3), respectively (P=0.0046). In conclusion, our results suggest an ambivalent influence of a genetic determinant of pro-inflammatory pathways on IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to betalactams.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Institutional grants from the Region of Sicily (Italy) and from the University hospital Center of Nancy.

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Author notes

  1. R-M Guéant-Rodriguez and J-L Guéant: These authors have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Inserm U-724, Faculté de Médecine, University of Nancy-Henri Poincaré and University Hospital Center (CHU) of Nancy, Nancy, France

    R-M Guéant-Rodriguez, J-L Guéant & D Tramoy

  2. Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, UCSC-Allergy Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Rome, Italy

    M Viola, F Gaeta & A Romano

  3. IRCCS Oasi Maria SS, Troina, Italy

    A Romano

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  1. R-M Guéant-Rodriguez
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  2. J-L Guéant
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Correspondence to J-L Guéant.

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The study sponsor had no involvement in study design, data collection, analysis or interpretation, writing of the paper, or the decision to submit the paper for publication.

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Guéant-Rodriguez, RM., Guéant, JL., Viola, M. et al. Association of tumor necrosis factor-α –308G>A polymorphism with IgE-mediated allergy to betalactams in an Italian population. Pharmacogenomics J 8, 162–168 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.tpj.6500456

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