Association of IL-4 receptor gene polymorphisms with high density lipoprotein cholesterol

The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between E400A polymorphisms of interleukin-4 receptor α chain (IL-4Rα) and lipid metabolism. Genomic DNA from 121 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and 113 non-diabetic, non-obese control study subjects were extracted, and their IL-4Rα E400A polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. The correlation between IL-4Rα E400A genotypes and study subjects' lipid profile was then examined. Significant associations of the IL-4Rα E400A genotypes and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels among control individuals (p = 0.007), as well as among the T2DM patients (p = 0.029), were observed. Significant correlations between IL-4Rα E400A genotypes with blood pressure, as well as with blood urea nitrogen, were also observed in control subjects. Our results reveal that IL-4Rα may play certain roles in the lipid metabolism of Taiwanese population and suggest a novel link between lipid metabolism and the cytokine receptor.

► The study is to examine the association between IL-4Rα SNP and lipid metabolism. ► IL-4Rα E400A SNP of non-diabetic control and T2DM study subjects were examined. ► Significant association of the IL-4Rα E400A SNP with HDL-C levels is identified. ► A novel link between lipid metabolism and the cytokine receptor IL-4Rα is suggested.