Susceptibility Loci Regulating Total Serum IgE Levels, Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness, and Clinical Asthma Map to Chromosome 5q

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. This chronic inflammation is responsible for increased airways hyperresponsiveness to a variety of stimuli and for the recurrent symptoms and airflow limitation characteristic of asthma. The close association between bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and asthma has been well established, since virtually all asthmatics demonstrate BHR. 1 Boushey HA Holtzman MJ Sheller JR Bronchial hyperresponsiveness.. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1980; 121: 389-413 PubMed Google Scholar It has been shown that BHR may precede the development of asthma and constitutes a risk factor for the development of asthma. Animals studies have suggested that BHR is genetically determined. 2 Pauwels R Van Der Stratten M Weyne J. Genetic factors in nonspecific bronchial reactivity in rats.. Eur J Respir Dis. 1985; 66: 98-104 PubMed Google Scholar , 3 Levitt RC Mitzner W. Expression of airways hyperreactivity to acetylcholine as a simple autosomal recessive trait in mice.. FASEB J. 1988; 2: 2605-2608 PubMed Google Scholar In humans, twin studies have suggested a heritable component to BHR, with higher concordance levels in monozygotic compared to dizygotic twins. 4 Edfors-Lubs ML. Allergy in 7000 twin pairs.. Acta Allergol. 1971; 26: 249-285 Crossref PubMed Scopus (311) Google Scholar , 5 Hopp RJ Bewtra AK Watt GD Genetic analysis of allergic disease in twins.. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1984; 73: 265-270 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (233) Google Scholar However, BHR is complex genetically and is not likely to be inherited as a simple mendelian trait.