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Updated: Jul 25, 2026
10:17
An Allele-specific Gene Expression Assay to Test the Functional Basis of Genetic Associations
Published on: November 3, 2010
Association of 3 gene polymorphisms with atopic diseases
1Institute of Pathological Physiology, Medical Faculty, Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|April 13, 1999
Summary
Genetic variations in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensinogen are linked to atopic diseases like asthma. These gene polymorphisms may play a role in the development of allergic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Peptidases, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), modulate inflammatory peptides implicated in atopic disease pathogenesis.
- ACE is involved in activating bronchoconstriction mediators angiotensin II and endothelin (ET).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between specific gene polymorphisms (insertion/deletion ACE, M235T angiotensinogen, TaqI ET-1) and the occurrence of atopic diseases.
- To test the hypothesis that these genetic variations contribute to the development of asthma and other atopic conditions.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 231 patients with atopic diseases and 141 healthy controls.
- Genotyping for ACE insertion/deletion, angiotensinogen M235T, and ET-1 TaqI polymorphisms using PCR and restriction analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant associations were found between atopic diseases and polymorphisms in the ACE (P=.0025) and angiotensinogen (P=.0204) genes.
- No significant association was observed for the ET-1 gene polymorphism (P=.1774).
- A significant difference in atopic disease prevalence was noted between patients with and without both asthma and rhinitis (P=.0033).
Conclusions:
- The studied polymorphisms in ACE and angiotensinogen genes may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of atopic diseases.
- These genetic factors could influence susceptibility to conditions like asthma and allergic rhinitis.
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