title: Array-based diagnostic gene-expression score for atopy and asthma.
abstract: Whether gene expression is useful in discriminating different atopic phenotypes is unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate a gene-expression score for the diagnosis of atopy and asthma and to assess disease activity as a guide for therapeutic decisions. Purified mRNA from PBMCs of 18 atopic asthmatic subjects, 8 atopic nonasthmatic subjects, and 14 healthy control subjects was hybridized to cDNA membranes. A composite atopy gene expression (CAGE) score was determined by using 10 genes dysregulated in atopic individuals according to a specific algorithm. The CAGE score was better than total IgE in differentiating atopic from nonatopic subjects (sensitivity, 96%; specificity, 92%). Correlation between the CAGE score and total IgE (P <.001) was found, and there was a trend for correlation with asthma severity (P =.051). The CAGE score was able to quantify phenotype-specific alteration in gene expression of atopic individuals. The CAGE score might be used as a diagnostic tool or to monitor the effects and side effects of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martin H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Brutsche
authors.forename: Ladina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Joos
authors.forename: Ingrid E A
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Carlen Brutsche
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bissinger
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tamm
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Custovic
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woodcock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012372:ROC Curve; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger