Genome-wide association studies on IgE regulation: are genetics of IgE also genetics of atopic disease?
OBJECTIVE
Total IgE levels are considered a useful endophenotype for studying the genetics of atopic diseases. However, the role and significance of genetic factors influencing IgE regulation for atopic diseases as endpoints is unclear.


RESULTS
Recently, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been applied to atopic traits with considerable success. A total of seven published GWASs on asthma, one GWAS on eczema, and one GWAS on total IgE have reported 11 new loci. Most of these loci appear to be trait-specific. A notable exception is the Th2 cytokine cluster, where genetic variation seems to be relevant across atopic phenotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
GWASs have identified several novel asthma and eczema loci as well as novel loci for IgE levels. In this review, we evaluate the interrelation between these loci and summarize to which degree recent findings on IgE reflect genetic vulnerability for atopic disease.
Weidinger
Stephan
S
Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany. weidinger@lrz.tum.de
Baurecht
Hansjörg
H
Naumann
Aline
A
Novak
Natalija
N
D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D007073:Immunoglobulin E