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Background A clear picture of interaction of Th1/Th2 cytokines in pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), remains elusive. Impaired IFN-γ production and decreased levels of IL-2 have been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of Th1 cytokines; IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-γ polymorphisms with CSU. Methods 90 patients with CSU and 140 age-sex matched subjects were included in this study. DNA samples were evaluated through PCR-SSP assay in order to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-12 (A/C −1188) or (rs3212227), IFN-γ (A/T UTR5644) or (rs2069717) and IL-2 (G/T −330 and G/T +166) or (rs2069762 and rs2069763). Results G allele at −330 at promoter region of IL-2 gene was overrepresented in CSU. Heterozygotes (GT) at this locus and heterozygotes at +166 of IL-2 gene (GT) were more prevalent in CSU group. Additionally, the haplotype GT for loci −330 and +166 of IL-2 gene was powerfully associated with CSU (OR (95%CI) = 57.29 (8.43–112.7)). Conclusions SNP at position −330 and +166 of IL-2 gene are differently expressed in CSU. The haplotype GT of IL-2 at −330 and +166 might confer vulnerability to a number of immunological disorders in Iranian region.

This study was performed to evaluate association of gene polymorphisms among proinflammatory cytokines and susceptibility to chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).Ninety patients with prolonged urticaria more than 6 weeks were included as case group. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-6 (G/C -174, G/A nt565) and TNF-α (G/A -308, G/A -238) were evaluated, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and the results were compared to the control group.G allele was significantly higher in the patients at locus of -238 of promoter of TNF-α gene (p0.001). Frequency of following genotypes were significantly lower in patients with CIU, compared to controls: AG at -308 and GA at -238 of TNF-α gene (p0.05 and p0.001, respectively), CG at -174 and GG at +565 of IL-6 gene (p0.05). Additionally, following genotypes were more common among patients with CIU: GG at -308 and -238 of TNF-α gene (p0.05 and p0.001, respectively), GG at -174 and GA at +565 of IL-6 gene (p0.05).Pro-inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms can affect susceptibility to CIU. TNF-α promoter polymorphisms as well as IL-6 gene polymorphisms are associated with CIU.