Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is associated with allergic rhinitis in children with asthma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects up to 80% of children with asthma and increases asthma severity. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a key mediator of allergic inflammation. The role of the TSLP gene (<it>TSLP</it>) in the pathogenesis of AR has not been studied.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To test for associations between variants in <it>TSLP</it>, <it>TSLP</it>-related genes, and AR in children with asthma.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We genotyped 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in <it>TSLP, OX40L, IL7R</it>, and <it>RXRα </it>in three independent cohorts: 592 asthmatic Costa Rican children and their parents, 422 nuclear families of North American children with asthma, and 239 Swedish children with asthma. We tested for associations between these SNPs and AR. As we previously reported sex-specific effects for <it>TSLP</it>, we performed overall and sex-stratified analyses. We additionally performed secondary analyses for gene-by-gene interactions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Across the three cohorts, the T allele of <it>TSLP </it>SNP rs1837253 was undertransmitted in boys with AR and asthma as compared to boys with asthma alone. The SNP was associated with reduced odds for AR (odds ratios ranging from 0.56 to 0.63, with corresponding Fisher's combined P value of 1.2 × 10^-4). Our findings were significant after accounting for multiple comparisons. SNPs in <it>OX40L, IL7R</it>, and <it>RXRα </it>were not consistently associated with AR in children with asthma. There were nominally significant interactions between gene pairs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>TSLP </it>SNP rs1837253 is associated with reduced odds for AR in boys with asthma. Our findings support a role for <it>TSLP </it>in the pathogenesis of AR in children with asthma.</p

Overview and Status of Diagnostics for the ESS Project

International audienceThe European Spallation Source, now under construction in Lund, Sweden, aims to be the world's most powerful pulsed neutron scattering facility. Driving the neutron source is a 5-MW superconducting proton linear accelerator operating at 4% beam duty factor and 14-Hz repetition rate. Nineteen partner institutions from across Europe are working with the Accelerator Division in Lund to design and construct the linac. The suite of beam instrumentation consists of over 20 unique system types delivered by over 20 partners and collaborators. Although the organizational complexity presents challenges, it also provides the vast capabilities required to achieve the technical goals. At this time, the beam instrumentation team is in transition, completing the design phase while scaling up to the deployment phase. Commissioning of the ion source has commenced in Catania, preparations for installation on the Lund site are ramping up, and basic R&amp;D on target instrumentation continues. Beam commissioning results from the systems immediately following the ion source will be presented, along with technical highlights and status of the many remaining instrumentation systems