Rafal Yahya Atta, Prof. Dr. Zafir Hassan Ghali
Perinatal Journal - 2026;34(1):49-55
Asthma is a multifactorial disease, where genetic factors play an important role in its onset, severity, and response to treatment, in addition to environmental exposures. Gene polymorphisms in different genes have shown an impact on asthma severity and treatment response. The Interleukin-17F (IL-17F) gene is located in the p12 region of chromosome 6 and consists of three exons. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), the most common type of DNA sequence variations, can exert various effects at the level of gene expression depending on their location in the genome. It has been stated that SNPs in the IL-17F gene may be potential risk factors for asthma susceptibility. This study aimed to investigate the association between the IL-17F 74488 T>C polymorphism and asthma susceptibility, as well as its relationship with serum IL-17F levels and gender differences among Iraqi adults. A case-control study was conducted involving 80 participants -45 asthmatic patients and 35 healthy controls- recruited between October 2024 and February 2025. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan real-time PCR, and serum IL-17F levels were quantified using ELISA. Genotypic and allelic distributions, Odds Ratios (ORs), and serum cytokine levels were analyzed, including gender- and genotype-specific comparisons. The TT genotype was more frequent among asthma patients (50%) compared to controls (31%), with an increased asthma risk (OR = 2.18), although not statistically significant. The TC genotype showed a protective effect, particularly in females (OR = 0.25; P = 0.02). No significant associations were observed under dominant, recessive, or over-dominant genetic models. Serum IL-17F levels were significantly elevated in asthma patients versus controls (P = 0.05), with the TT genotype and male patients showing the highest levels (P = 0.02 for gender comparison). The IL-17F 74488 T>C polymorphism may influence asthma susceptibility and IL-17F expression, with the TT genotype and T allele potentially conferring increased risk, particularly in females.
