Interactions between genes and environmental factors in asthma and atopy: new developments.
Asthma and associated phenotypes are complex traits most probably caused by an interaction of multiple disease susceptibility genes and environmental factors. Major achievements have occurred in identifying chromosomal regions and polymorphisms in candidate genes linked to or associated with asthma, atopic dermatitis, IgE levels and response to asthma therapy. The aims of this review are to explain the methodology of genetic studies of multifactorial diseases, to summarize chromosomal regions and polymorphisms in candidate genes linked to or associated with asthma and associated traits, to list genetic alterations that may alter response to asthma therapy, and to outline genetic factors that may render individuals more susceptible to asthma and atopy due to environmental changes.
Sengler
Claudia
C
Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Lau
Susanne
S
Wahn
Ulrich
U
Nickel
Renate
R
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics