Association between IL-17A and IL-17RC Gene Polymorphisms and Childhood Asthma in South Indian Children

Background: Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a proinflammatory cytokine that promotes neutrophilic inflammation and airway remodeling, playing a vital role in the development of asthma. Genetic variations in IL-17A and its receptor, IL- 17RC, have been linked to the susceptibility of numerous inflammatory diseases, including asthma. This study was designed to explore the association of IL-17A (rs2275913 and rs8193036) and IL-17RC (rs708567) gene polymorphisms with childhood asthma in a South Indian population. Methods: This study comprised 51 children diagnosed with asthma and 50 agematched healthy controls. Genotyping of IL-17A (rs2275913 and rs8193036) and IL-17RC (rs708567) polymorphisms was performed using the PCR-RFLP method. Results: The A/A genotype of IL-17A (rs2275913) was observed at a higher frequency in asthma patients compared to controls (odds ratio (OR) = 6.60; pc = 0.019). Significant differences were also noted in the codominant model (GG vs. AA: OR = 0.16; pc = 0.035) and the recessive model (GG + GA vs. AA: OR = 0.15; pc = 0.019) between patients and controls. Haplotype analysis of IL-17A showed a significantly lower frequency of the GC haplotype in asthma patients relative to controls (OR = 0.48; pc = 0.016). Moreover, after Bonferroni correction, the IL-17RC (rs708567) polymorphism displayed a weak association with childhood asthma. Conclusion: The findings propose that the IL-17A (rs2275913) polymorphism may be associated with the occurrence of childhood asthma in the South Indian population.