Role of PCDH 1 Gene in the Development of Childhood Asthma and Other Related Phenotypes: A Literature Review.

Sharmi Biswas

doi:10.7759/cureus.3360

Abstract

The asthma gene PCDH 1, encoding protocadherin-1, is a cellular adhesion molecule which plays an important role in epithelial barrier formation and repair. PCDH 1 is a novel susceptible gene not only in childhood asthma but also in eczema and other atopic phenotypes. In this article, we reviewed relevant articles from PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and included all available significant pieces of information about the PCDH 1 association with asthma and other atopic or non-atopic phenotypes. It is very interesting that cigarette smoking can induce changes in PCDH 1 expression but how the changes in PCDH 1 induce asthma is still not clear. PCDH 1 gene polymorphism also sometimes plays role in asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) pathogenesis as well as in allergic dermatitis.

Highlights

BackgroundChildhood asthma is one of the most common causes of emergency department visits, hospitalizations and absence in schools
The location of the PCDH 1 is in 5q 31-33 chromosome which is the harboring zone for several genes like Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interleukin-5 (IL-5), Interleukin-13 (IL-13), the candidate genes for asthma and allergy traits [2, 3]
Though childhood asthma is a common disease in a pediatric population, very few studies are available to provide in-depth information on genetic association with it

Summary

Introduction

Genetic variation in epithelial cell barrier and repair function is the very significant factor to develop asthma and atopic dermatitis [1]. Even perinatal maternal stress is a causative factor for early-onset asthma in the offspring due to placentainduced secretion of the corticotropin-releasing hormone, activating the fetal hypothalamicpituitary-adrenocortical axis and eventually leading to dysregulation of glucocorticoid desensitization This pathophysiology is responsible for other atopic diseases like eczema, food allergies [12]. Genetic association studies showed that PCDH 1 gene is associated with BHR, eczema, nonatopic childhood asthma, and transient early wheeze. An important transcription factor NF-E2 related factor (Nrf2), which protects cells from antioxidant stress, has a significant role in the stabilization of airway epithelium following glucocorticoid exposure [7, 19]

Conclusions

Findings

Disclosures