New study found a total of 141 regions (genes) in our genetic material that primarily explains the genetic risk underlying asthma, hay fever, and eczema. As many as 41 of the genes recognized have not earlier been linked to an elevated risk for these diseases. The findings of the study are published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics.
The risk of developing asthma, hay fever, or eczema is affected by genes, environment, and lifestyle factors. Many patients diagnosed with one of these diseases also develop the other two at some stage in life. Although previous studies have found many genes that exert an effect on these diseases, research has been unable to explain the whole genetic background to the origin of asthma, hay fever and eczema.
Asthma
It's a lung condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and constriction of the airways that result in coughing, wheezing or breathlessness. Allergy and other airway irritants can trigger it
Advertisement
‘Large amount of genetic contribution is shared between diseases like asthma, hay fever, and eczema.
’
Tweet it Now
In this study, which is the largest of its kind to date, researchers have analyzed self-reported data from 350,000 participants in Britain's UK Biobank. Millions of gene positions were tested for their effect on people's risk of being diagnosed with asthma, hay fever, and/or eczema.
The 41 new genetic finds were also tested in an independent group of individuals comprising 110,000 clients of the American company 23andMe. This testing verified that most of these new genetic variants affect the individual's risk of developing the disease. Every 23andMe participant, or client, has paid personally to send in a saliva sample, used by the company to analyze the person's DNA. The participants then receive information about whether they carry various inherited genetic traits that may elevate their risk of a number of diseases.
![Hay Fever]( "Hay Fever")
Hay fever is increasingly common and it is important that you understand the condition. Find out what is hay fever and how to treat it with medication and lifestyle changes.
Researchers can apply to obtain results in which 23andMe have analyzed clients' DNA, to find additional genetic variants that affect the disease(s) analyzed (in this case asthma, hay fever and/or eczema). The researchers can never access any given individual's results, nor can they link their findings with specific individuals (the data are deidentified).
"For those interested in taking part in similar studies where they can get information about their own genetic inheritance, we'd like to point out that the results you can read from DNA in similar studies relate only to people's disease risk, which doesn't correspond to a diagnosis. External factors also affect our risk for these complex traits, and an elevated risk doesn't mean we're going to develop the disease," says Weronica Ek, a researcher at the Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology at Uppsala University, who headed the study.
The study showed that a large number of the genes identified entail a raised risk for all three diseases. This, in turn, shows that the elevated risk of suffering from allergy when asthma is diagnosed, or the elevated risk of asthma when an allergy is diagnosed, seems to be largely due to genetic factors. The study was also able to identify several genes that boost the risk of one of these diseases in relation to the others, which demonstrates that a number of more disease-specific effects also exist.
All three diseases arise through a complex association among several genes and also with environmental and lifestyle factors. To be able to improve the patients' everyday lives, it is important to develop drugs that are adapted to individual patients' genetic risks, and also to understand how our environment and lifestyle can prevent disease and improve symptoms of the disease.
"The results from this study are helping us to reach a greater understanding of why certain individuals are at higher risk of developing asthma and allergies, and we hope the results will be put to use both in clinical diagnostics and in drug development," Ek says.
Source: Eurekalert
Hay Fever
Hay fever is increasingly common and it is important that you understand the condition. Find out what is hay fever and how to treat it with medication and lifestyle changes.
Advertisement
Researchers can apply to obtain results in which 23andMe have analyzed clients' DNA, to find additional genetic variants that affect the disease(s) analyzed (in this case asthma, hay fever and/or eczema). The researchers can never access any given individual's results, nor can they link their findings with specific individuals (the data are deidentified).
"For those interested in taking part in similar studies where they can get information about their own genetic inheritance, we'd like to point out that the results you can read from DNA in similar studies relate only to people's disease risk, which doesn't correspond to a diagnosis. External factors also affect our risk for these complex traits, and an elevated risk doesn't mean we're going to develop the disease," says Weronica Ek, a researcher at the Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology at Uppsala University, who headed the study.
The study showed that a large number of the genes identified entail a raised risk for all three diseases. This, in turn, shows that the elevated risk of suffering from allergy when asthma is diagnosed, or the elevated risk of asthma when an allergy is diagnosed, seems to be largely due to genetic factors. The study was also able to identify several genes that boost the risk of one of these diseases in relation to the others, which demonstrates that a number of more disease-specific effects also exist.
All three diseases arise through a complex association among several genes and also with environmental and lifestyle factors. To be able to improve the patients' everyday lives, it is important to develop drugs that are adapted to individual patients' genetic risks, and also to understand how our environment and lifestyle can prevent disease and improve symptoms of the disease.
"The results from this study are helping us to reach a greater understanding of why certain individuals are at higher risk of developing asthma and allergies, and we hope the results will be put to use both in clinical diagnostics and in drug development," Ek says.
Source: Eurekalert
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, non-contagious, chronic skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. It is also called eczema, dermatitis or atopy.
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Genetics & Stem Cells News
Can stem cell therapy cure fistula? Yes, treatment with stem cells has had a success rate when used in perianal fistulas due to Crohn's Disease.
In zebrafish models of SURF1 mitochondrial disease, scientists have discovered drugs to prevent neurological decompensation.
New study advances intravitreal gene therapy platform to develop safe and effective therapies for visual loss in Usher Syndrome, rare disorder.
The study experiments shed light on a rare example of how autism-associated mutation could altered nuclear dynamics.
A genotype-first approach to patient care involves selecting patients with specific genomic variants and then studying their traits and symptoms.