Cytokine gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic irritant contact dermatitis.

Background: Cytokines play an important role in skin inflammation.

Objectives: We determined whether polymorphisms in cytokine genes contribute to the occurrence of occupational chronic irritant contact dermatitis (CICD).

Methods: In a case-control study, 9 polymorphisms in the genes coding for interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-8, IL-10, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were determined in 197 patients with CICD.

Polymorphisms in the interleukin-1 gene influence the stratum corneum interleukin-1 alpha concentration in uninvolved skin of patients with chronic irritant contact dermatitis.

Background: Interleukin (IL)-1 alpha and its receptor antagonist IL-1 ra play a role in skin inflammation. Several polymorphisms in the IL1 gene cluster, coding for IL-1 alpha, IL-1 ra, and IL-1 beta, influence their protein expression. Within this cluster, strong linkage disequilibrium has been shown.