Polymorphisms in MicroRNA Target Sites of TGF-β Signaling Pathway Genes and Susceptibility to Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The polymorphisms inside microRNA target sites locating in the 3′-UTR region may introduce the micro­RNA-binding changes, which may regulate the gene expression and correlate with the potential diseases. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> We aimed to investigate whether the polymorphisms in microRNA target sites of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway genes are associated with the susceptibility of mite-sensitized allergic rhinitis (AR) in a Han Chinese population. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this case-control study, 454 AR patients and 448 healthy controls were recruited. Three HapMap single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were mapped to putative microRNA recognition sites and genotyped by TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The genotype and allele frequencies of 3 SNPs (rs1590 in <i>TGFBR1</i>; rs1434536 and rs17023107 in <i>BMPR1B</i>) showed lack of significant association with AR. However, in the subgroup analysis, the TG, GG, and TG/GG genotypes of rs1590 exhibited significantly increased risk of AR in the male subgroup (TG: adjusted OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.08–2.31; GG: adjusted OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.09–2.86; TG/GG: adjusted OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.13–2.33). The CT genotypes of rs17023107 might have potential to protect against AR in the patients age of &#x3c;15 years (adjusted OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.14–0.95) and the males (adjusted OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.25–0.95). No significant association was found between SNPs and the total serum IgE level. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In a Han Chinese population, stratified by age and gender, susceptibility to mite-sensitized AR may be associated with 2 SNPs (rs1590 and rs17023107) in microRNA target sites of TGF-β signaling pathway genes.