CXCR3 polymorphisms associated with risk of asthma

The chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3 (CXCR3) gene, on chromosome Xq13, is known to have critical roles in inflammatory and immune responses. In an effort to discover polymorphisms have been implicated in asthma, we investigated the genetic polymorphisms in CXCR3 to evaluate it as a potential candidate gene for a host genetic study of asthma. Statistical analysis revealed that one SNP in intron 1, c.12+234G>A, showed significant association with the risk of asthma development (P = 0.007, OR = 0.81). By subgroup analyses stratified by gender and atopic status, the genetic effect of c.12+234G>A on asthma was more apparent among male atopic subjects (P = 0.0009, OR = 0.61). Our findings suggest that polymorphisms in CXCR3 might be one of the genetic factors for the risk of asthma development, especially in male atopic subjects. CXCR3 variation/haplotype information identified in this study will provide valuable information and insight into strategies for the control of asthma and its subgroup, atopy.