The TBX21 transcription factor T-1993C polymorphism is associated with decreased IFN-γ and IL-4 production by primary human lymphocytes

T-bet is a transcription factor that drives the Th1 immune response primarily through promoting expression of the IFN-γ gene. Polymorphisms in the T-bet gene, TBX21, have been associated with immune-mediated diseases such as asthma and systemic sclerosis. We found that the TBX21 promoter polymorphism T-1993C is associated with a significant decrease in IL-4 and IFN-γ production by stimulated primary human lymphocytes from healthy participants.