Toll‐like receptor 1 and 10 gene polymorphisms are linked to postbronchiolitis asthma in adolescence

Aim Toll-like receptors (TLR) are innate immunity molecules and our previous studies found that TLR1 gene polymorphism was associated with post-bronchiolitis asthma at 1-6 years of age, as was TLR10 at 5-7 years of age. This study examined any associations at 11-13 years of age. Methods This prospective follow-up study was part of an on-going evaluation of children admitted to Tampere University Hospital Finland for bronchiolitis in 2001-2004 at less than six months of age. We evaluated the association of TLR1 rs5743618 and TLR10 rs4129009 polymorphisms with asthma and asthma medication in 125 children aged 11-13 years. Results Associations were measured as adjusted odd ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The variant TLR1 rs5743618 (aOR 3.69, 95% CI 1.04-13.01) and TLR10 rs4129009 (aOR 7.02, 95% CI 1.56-31.53) genotypes increased the risk of needing inhaled corticosteroids at 11-13 years of age. The variant TLR10 genotype (aOR 7.69, 95% CI 1.35-43.95) increased the risk of persistent asthma continuing from 5-7 years of age until 11-13 years of age. The results were similar when the combined genotypes were analysed. Conclusion Polymorphisms in both the TLR1 and TLR10 genes may increase the risk of asthma at 11-13 years after infant bronchiolitis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.