What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Immune System Inflammation: 6/10 evidence, 52 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Typical Inflammatory Response
This genotype is associated with a standard baseline risk for inflammatory conditions and pancreatic cancer. It also correlates with a better response to certain psoriasis medications.
What this genotype means: Typical risk of inflammatory diseases; Standard susceptibility to infections; Better response to certain psoriasis therapies.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Dampened Inflammation and Mixed Risks
Carrying two copies of the variant allele significantly reduces asthma risk but is linked to higher risks of pancreatic cancer and autoimmune joint disease.
What this genotype means: Significantly lower risk of asthma; Elevated risk of pancreatic cancer; Elevated risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/C
Altered Inflammation and Mixed Risks
Carrying one copy of the variant allele offers protection against asthma but increases the risk of pancreatic cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
What this genotype means: Lower risk of asthma; Increased risk of pancreatic cancer; Increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The IL17F gene encodes interleukin 17F, a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced primarily by activated T-cells [1]. This protein plays a central role in host defense against pathogens by inducing the expression of other inflammatory cytokines and chemokines [2]. However, uncontrolled IL-17F signaling can lead to chronic tissue inflammation and autoimmune pathology [3]. Variations in this gene have been linked to a wide range of inflammatory diseases, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease [4].
Variant Impact: The rs763780 variant is a missense mutation in the third exon of the IL17F gene, resulting in a histidine-to-arginine substitution at position 161 (p.His161Arg) [3]. This amino acid change alters the structure of the IL-17F protein, significantly reducing its ability to activate downstream inflammatory pathways [2]. Interestingly, the variant protein acts as a natural antagonist, binding to the IL-17 receptor and blocking wild-type IL-17F from signaling [1]. As a result, this single-nucleotide change has a profound impact on both susceptibility to infectious diseases and the risk of chronic inflammatory conditions [4].
Key Insight: The variant allele acts as a natural antagonist, blocking the body's own inflammatory signals to reduce asthma risk but potentially increasing susceptibility to certain infections.
Location: IL17F. Chromosome 6 · 6p12.2 · 52.2 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 87.2%; European 90.6%; African 84.1%; East Asian 72.6%; South Asian 85.2%; Americas 90.6%; Ashkenazi 90.4%; Finnish 78.7%; Middle Eastern 92.7%; Amish 96.7%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Global 12.3%; European 9.2%; African 15.2%; East Asian 25.2%; South Asian 14.2%; Americas 9.2%; Ashkenazi 9.4%; Finnish 20.0%; Middle Eastern 7.2%; Amish 3.2%.
Estimated TC genotype frequency.
Global 0.5%; European 0.2%; African 0.7%; East Asian 2.2%; South Asian 0.6%; Americas 0.2%; Ashkenazi 0.2%; Finnish 1.3%; Middle Eastern 0.1%; Amish < 0.1%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Cancer & Oncology
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Pancreatic Cancer. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 28470677. Typical Risk.
Organ Systems
Respiratory Health
Asthma. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 26550210. Typical Risk.
Immunity & Inflammation
Autoimmune Diseases
Rheumatoid Arthritis. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 32543936. Typical Risk.
Infection Susceptibility & Resistance
Tuberculosis. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 23219503. Typical Risk.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Pancreatic Cancer. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 28470677. ~3.3x Higher Risk.
Asthma. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 26550210. Lower Risk.
Rheumatoid Arthritis. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 32543936. Increased Risk.
Tuberculosis. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 23219503. Increased Risk.
Showing effects for T/C genotype
Pancreatic Cancer. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 28470677. Increased Risk.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
This common genotype encodes the fully functional, wild-type IL-17F cytokine, which promotes normal inflammatory responses to clear pathogens [1]. Because it lacks the variant allele, it does not carry the elevated risks of pancreatic cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, or tuberculosis associated with the mutation. However, it also does not benefit from the natural anti-inflammatory protection against asthma that the variant provides [2]. For individuals with psoriasis, this genotype is linked to a more favorable therapeutic response when treated with biological drugs like adalimumab or ustekinumab [1].
Typical risk of inflammatory diseases; Standard susceptibility to infections; Better response to certain psoriasis therapies.
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
This genotype results in the exclusive production of the variant IL-17F protein, which acts as a strong natural antagonist to normal inflammatory signaling [1]. By blocking the body's typical inflammatory pathways, this genotype provides significant protection against asthma and other allergic airway diseases [2]. However, this compromised immune signaling makes it harder for the body to fight off certain pathogens, leading to a higher susceptibility to tuberculosis [3]. Furthermore, this genotype is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and pancreatic cancer.
Significantly lower risk of asthma; Elevated risk of pancreatic cancer; Elevated risk of rheumatoid arthritis; Higher susceptibility to tuberculosis.
Sample genotype: TC (Heterozygous)
This genotype produces a mixture of normal and variant IL-17F proteins, resulting in a partially dampened inflammatory response [1]. The presence of the variant protein acts as a mild natural antagonist, which helps protect against overactive airway inflammation and lowers the risk of asthma [2]. However, this reduced inflammatory capacity is also linked to a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and a higher susceptibility to tuberculosis. Additionally, genome-wide association studies have connected this variant to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer [3].
Lower risk of asthma; Increased risk of pancreatic cancer; Increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis; Higher susceptibility to tuberculosis.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs2228145 · IL6R Gene · Chr 1 · Inflammation and Allergies
rs17293632 · SMAD3 Gene · Chr 15 · Inflammatory Disease Risk
rs34173062 · SHARPIN Gene · Chr 8 · Alzheimer's Disease Risk
The IL-17F sequence variant is associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis.
Association between IL-17F rs763780 polymorphism and susceptibility of asthma: a meta-analysis.
Genetic polymorphisms associated with pancreatic cancer survival: a genome-wide association study.
Content updated August 2026.
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