Association between JAK1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to allergic rhinitis.

Objectives: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disorder of the upper airway. Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), a member of JAK family, has recently been found to participate in the immune response and the development of allergic airway disease. This study was performed to evaluate the potential association of JAK1 polymorphisms with AR in a Chinese Han population.

Methods: A case-control study was performed in 450 Chinese AR patients and 615 healthy controls. Three SNPs in the JAK1 gene, rs3790532, rs310241 and rs2780815, were analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay (PCR-RFLP).

Results: An association was detected between SNP rs310241 in the JAK1 gene and AR in a Chinese Han population. However, no significant association was observed between the polymorphisms rs3790532 and rs2780815 and AR. For rs310241, the CC genotype and the C allele significantly increased the risk of AR. Furthermore, we found that the ACG haplotype in JAK1 gene was positively correlated with AR, while the GTG haplotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of AR.

Conclusion: This study indicates that the JAK1 rs310241 C-related genotype and allele are involved in AR susceptibility, making them potentially useful genetic biomarkers for AR susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.