SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007

November 2, 2007

IL-13, an IgE synthesis promoter, may have a role in lung function independent of atopy

Summary
As allergists, we think of IL-13 as an IgE promoter, sharing a common receptor with IL-4, and exhibiting activity similar to that of IL-4. However, studies have shown that IL-13 may have an independent role in lung function unrelated to atopy per se.

Recently, a group of investigators looked at whether IL-13 promoter polymorphisms might have an effect on the decline in lung function related to smoking.

To do so, they looked at individuals who had a 20 or greater pack year history of smoking. As expected, they found that the number of pack years smoking was associated with a lower value of percent predicted FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. Although they did not note that SNPs for the IL-13 promoter were independently related to lung function measurements, there was a significant combined effect between smoking and the promoter polymorphism - 1112C/T. They concluded that an IL-13 polymorphism in the promoter region might modulate the decline in lung function related to cigarette smoking.

Editor's Comments
This study may in part explain, or at least offer one explanation for, the common clinically observation that some individuals may smoke without an accelerated decline in FEV1, while others smoking to the same extent can develop marked diminutions in this measurement of lung function.

Reference
Sadeghnejad A, et al. IL-13 promoter polymorphism - 1112C/T modulates the adverse effect of tobacco smoking on lung function. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2007; 176(8):748-752."

 

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