e-selectin s128r polymorphism leads to severe asthma

the e-selectin mediates the interaction of activated endothelial cells with leukocytes and plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of asthma. it has been suggested that an s/r (serine128arginine) polymorphism of e-selectin alters ligand binding function. our purpose in this study was to determine whether this serine128arginine polymorphism influences the risk of asthma and also to analyze the possible correlation of disease severity in iranian patients with polymorphism of e-selection. we studied human e-selectin gene polymorphism in 172 asthmatic patients and 173 healthy volunteers by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (pcr-rflp). to determine the severity of the asthma’s situation, a questionnaire was prepared requesting the following information: age, sex, clinical signs and symptoms and past medical history. after the participants filled in the questionnaire, all active or ex-smoker patients were excluded. a trained observer assessed airway reversibility, peak flowmetry and spirometry in asthmatic patients. we found increased serum levels of soluble e-selectin (se-selectin) in asthmatic patients compared with healthy subjects (p these results suggest that the ser128arg polymorphism of the e-selectin gene is a genetic factor that may be associated with the severity of asthma.