Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Saudi Patients With Atopic Dermatitis: A Case-Control Study.

The cause of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial and a number of genes including cytokines have been involved. We genotyped 315 subjects for polymorphisms in TNF-α and TNF-β and IL-10 genes. Patients had significantly higher frequency of GA genotype of TNF-α (-308 G/A) than healthy controls. Patients with AD and controls had similar distribution of A and G alleles. Genotype AA was found in 7.11% of controls while completely absent in cases. The frequencies of genotypes GG and AA of TNF-β (+252 A/G) polymorphism were higher whereas the frequency of genotype GA was significantly lower in patients than the controls. The frequencies of genotypes GG and AA of IL-10 (1082 G/A) polymorphism were significantly increased whereas genotype GA was decreased in patients than the controls. It is concluded that TNF-α (-308 G/A), TNF-β (+252 A/G), and IL-10 (-1082 G/A) polymorphisms are linked with the susceptibility of AD in Saudis and can be a risk factor.