Effect of Toll-like receptor 4 gene polymorphisms on work-related respiratory symptoms and sensitization to wheat flour in bakery workers.

Background: Bakery workers are exposed to flour allergens and endotoxins, which interact to induce allergic responses and respiratory symptoms. We hypothesized that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) may be involved in the development of work-related respiratory symptoms and sensitization to wheat flour.

Objective: To investigate the genetic contribution of TLR4 to respiratory symptoms and sensitization to wheat flour in bakery workers, we performed a genetic association study of TLR4 in Korean bakery workers.