Yonsei Med J.  2011 May;52(3):488-494. 10.3349/ymj.2011.52.3.488.

Association of beta2-Adrenergic Receptor Polymorphism with Work-Related Symptoms in Workers Exposed to Wheat Flour

• Hur GY
• Park HJ
• Lee HY
• Koh DH
• Lee BJ
• Choi GS
• Kim SH
• Ye YM
• Park HS

• KMID: 1777022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2011.52.3.488

Abstract

PURPOSE
Our previous study indicated that the presence of wheat-specific IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies was associated with work-related symptoms in workers exposed to wheat flour. We performed this study to investigate the genetic polymorphisms of beta2-adrenergic receptors and wheat-specific antibodies in association with the clinical parameters of baker's asthma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In total, 379 subjects working in a single industrial bakery were enrolled in this study. The skin prick test was performed with common inhalant allergens and wheat flour extract. The presence of serum- specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 antibodies to wheat flour were determined by ELISA. Whole blood samples were obtained for genotype analysis. Subjects were genotyped with regard to five candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the beta2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2; -47 T>C, 46 A>G, 79 C>G, 252 G>A, and 523 C>A) using a single-base extension method.
RESULTS
No significant associations were observed between the genotype/allele frequencies of any of the SNPs tested and any clinical parameters. The haplotype of ADRB2 (GAA composed of 46 A>G, 252 G>A, and 523 C>A) was significantly associated with work-related symptoms (p<0.05). Moreover, in subjects with the AG or GG genotype at 46 A>G and haplotype [GAA] of ADRB2, the prevalence rates of wheat-specific IgG1 antibodies and lower respiratory symptoms increased significantly with exposure intensity (both p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The findings of the present study suggest that ADRB2 genetic polymorphism may contribute to the development of work-related symptoms in workers exposed to wheat flour, which can lead to baker's asthma.

Keyword

Baker's asthma; ADRB2 polymorphism; haplotype; specific IgG antibody

MeSH Terms

Adult
Allergens/*immunology
Asthma/genetics/*immunology
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Female
*Flour
Haplotypes
Humans
Immunoglobulin G/immunology
Inhalation Exposure/analysis
Male
Occupational Exposure/analysis
*Polymorphism, Genetic
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/*genetics
Skin Tests
Triticum/*immunology

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Predictive probabilities for the presence of serum-specific IgG antibodies to wheat flour in relation to exposure, according to the ADRB2 46A>G polymorphism.

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  Fig. 2 Predictive probabilities for the presence of serum-specific IgG antibodies to wheat flour in relation to exposure density, according to the genotype of ADRB2. *The haplotype was composed of 46A>G, 252G>A, and 523C>A of the β2-adrenergic receptor genetic polymorphism.

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