ESTIMATION OF CYTOKINE GENE EXPRESSION AND POLYMORPHISM AS PREDICTORS FOR CHRONIC ALLERGIC VULVOVAGINITIS

Background. Immune response gene polymorphisms are an important predisposing factor for chronic allergic vulvovaginitis (CAW). Objective. To assess the prognostic role of cytokine gene expression and polymorphism in the development of CAW. Subjects and methods. The cross-sectional study enrolled 106 women: 55 patients with chronic vulvovaginitis (CW), including 19patients with CAW, as well as 51 patients without signs ofCVV. laboratory tests included Gram-stain swab microscopy; vaginal pH-metry; cytometric and microscopic determination of eosinophils in blood and vaginal swabs; and enzyme immunoassay for total IgE in sera and vaginal swabs. Gene polymorphisms in whole blood and cytokine mRNA expression in the cells of vaginal scrapes were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results. At baseline, the patients with CVV were found to have significantly more frequently the CC genotype of IL4 C.-590OT, less frequently the AA genotype of IL10 c,1082A>G; there was a significant increase in the expression of IL10, IFNG, and IL4. Those with CAW were detected to have significantly more often the TT genotype of IL4 C.-590OT, the GGgenotype of IL10 c.1082A>G, and theAA of IFNG c.874A>T; there was a significant increase in the expression of IL10 and a decrease in that of IFNG. Conclusion. A genetic predisposition to decreased IFNG gene expression (in AA genotype carriers) and increased IL10 gene expression (in GG genotype carriers) may be a risk factor for developing and maintaining genital allergic inflammation.

SNP, IFNG, TNFa, IF4, single nucleotide polymorphism, cytokines, IL10, IFNG, TNFa, IL4, chronic vulvovaginitis, allergic vulvovaginitis, genital allergy