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Gene-environmental interaction in the development of atopic asthma: new developments
1University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. plesouef@meddent.uwa.edu.au
Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|March 20, 2009
Summary
Asthma is not solely an atopic disease. Viral infections, not allergies, are the primary trigger for wheezing in children, shifting focus to immune system genetics for new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Recent research challenges the long-held view of asthma as primarily an atopic disease.
- Advances in understanding the interplay between genetics and environmental factors in asthma development are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a revised perspective on the role of genes and environment in atopic asthma.
- To explore the shift from atopy-centric to infection-centric models in asthma research.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent prospective birth-cohort studies.
- Analysis of gene-environment interactions, focusing on immune system genetics.
- Examination of data on triggers for acute wheezing episodes in children.
Main Results:
- Atopic events play a limited role in asthma development and acute wheezing in children.
- Acute respiratory viral infections are the predominant environmental cause of acute wheezing in asthmatic children.
- Focus has shifted to the genetics of innate immune responses and viral defenses.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the genetics of viral defense offers new insights into childhood asthma.
- This knowledge could pave the way for novel antiviral therapies for asthma.
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