Abstract
Mechanisms underlying susceptibility to skin irritants are not clearly understood. Cytokines play a key role in inflammation, and functional polymorphisms in cytokine genes may affect responses to irritants. We investigated the relationship between polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α-chain gene and responses to irritants. Volunteers (n=221) tested with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and benzalkonium chloride (BKC) were divided into responders and nonresponders and high and low irritant-threshold groups. DNA was assayed for the TNF-308 polymorphism by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. There was a significant increase in the A allele (P=0.030) and AA genotype (P=0.023) in both the SDS low irritant-threshold group and in SDS responders (A allele P=0.022, AA genotype P=0.048). In the BKC low irritant-threshold group, we found a significant increase in the A allele (P=0.002) and AA genotype (P=0.016). Individuals with a low threshold to both irritants demonstrated a significant increase (P=0.002) in the A allele. This is the first description of a nonatopic genetic marker for irritant susceptibility in normal individuals. Genotyping for theTNF-308 polymorphism may thus contribute to screening of individuals deemed at risk of developing irritant contact dermatitis.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 30 June 1999 / Revised: 19 October 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Allen, M., Wakelin, S., Holloway, D. et al. Association of TNFA gene polymorphism at position –308 with susceptibility to irritant contact dermatitis. Immunogenetics 51, 201–205 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002510050032
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002510050032