Associations of the Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the Mina Gene with the Development of Asthma in Chinese Han Children: A Case-Control Study

The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the Mina gene in animals are associated with the development of Th2-mediated diseases. However, there is no information whether the association occurs in humans. This case-control study aimed at examining the potential association of the SNP of the Mina gene with the development of asthma in Chinese Han children. The DNA genotypes and serum immunoglobulin E and interleukin-4 levels of 202 asthmatic patients and 191 nonasthmatic subjects were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. We found that the frequency of the T allele of rs4857304, but not rs832081, rs832078, rs9879532, and rs17374916, in the Mina gene in asthmatic patients was significantly higher than that of controls (p = 0.0199). Using a recessive model, we found that the percentage of patients with TT homozygous rs4857304 was significantly higher than that of controls (p = 0.0282, odds ratio = 1.568, 95% confidence interval = 1.048-2.346). Further, the mean levels of serum immunoglobulin E and interleukin-4 in the patients with TT genotype of rs4857304 were significantly higher than that of patients with the G allele (p = 0.000 and p = 0.03, respectively). Apparently, the T allele of rs4857304 of the Mina gene may be associated with increased risk for the development of asthma in Chinese Han children.