Resumen:
There is no evidence evaluating the IL10 epigenetic upregulation among mestizo
children in a high-altitude Andean city in Latin America.
Objective: To identify polymorphisms and methylation profiles in the IL10 gene
associated with asthma in children aged 5 to 11.
Methods: A case–control study was conducted with asthmatic and nonasthmatic children aged 5 to 11 years in Cuenca-Ecuador. Data on allergic
diseases and risk factors were collected through a questionnaire for parents.
Atopy was measured by skin prick test (SPT) to relevant aeroallergens. Three
IL10 single nucleotide polymorphisms were evaluated in all participants, and
methylation analysis was performed in 54 participants. Association between
risk factors, allergic diseases and genetic factors were estimated using multivariate logistic regression.
Results: The results of polymorphisms showed no differences between cases and
controls when comparing the SNPs rs3024495, rs3024496, rs1800896 allelic and
genotypic frequencies. In the methylation analysis, no differences in the IL10
methylation profile were found between cases and controls; however, the multivariate analysis showed an association between the mother's smoking habits and
the IL10 methylation profile.
Conclusion: Smoking habit could be essential as an environmental exposure factor in regulating gene expression in children with asthma
