Perspectives on the past decade of asthma genetics

Although genetic linkage and association studies have identified more than 25 asthma or allergy susceptibility loci, replication of significant results remains a problem. Moreover, these approaches typically ignore the true complexity of these diseases, such as the role of gene-by-environment and gene-by-gene interactions. As a result, many important associations might have been missed. Recent studies demonstrate not only that such interactions exist but also that the relationship between genotype and phenotype is more complex than previously thought.

Key words: Asthma, allergy, genetics, gene-by-environment interactions

Abbreviations used: AD, Atopic dermatitis, ADRB2, β₂-Adrenergic receptor, CD14, Monocyte differentiation antigen 14, COAST, Childhood Onset of Asthma Study, FCERB1, FcɛRβ1, GSTM1, Glutathione S-transferase M1, GSTP1, Glutathione S-transferase P1, HLAG, Human leukocyte antigen G, IL4RA, IL-4 receptor, α-chain, LTA, Lymphotoxin α, LTC4A, Leukotriene C₄ synthase, NOS3, Nitric oxide synthetase 3, TIM1, T-cell immunoglobulin- and mucin domain–containing molecule 1, TLR4, Toll-like receptor 4