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Air pollution, genetics, and allergy: an update.
1Air Pollution Exposure Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. carlsten@mail.ubc.ca
Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|August 14, 2012
Summary
Air pollution exposure, particularly traffic-related, is linked to increased risk of allergic disease onset and exacerbation in children. Genetic and epigenetic factors may modify these effects, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Air pollution is linked to adverse health outcomes, including airway diseases.
- Gene-environment interactions play a role in these conditions.
- Evidence on causal links between air pollution and allergic diseases is evolving.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent developments (past 18 months) in understanding air pollution's impact on allergy.
- To examine the roles of genetics and epigenetics in air pollution-related allergic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on studies from the last 18 months.
- Analysis of research on air pollution, genetic variants, epigenetic changes, and allergic diseases.
Main Results:
- Conflicting evidence exists on air pollution causing allergic disease, but recent data link long-term traffic pollutant exposure to new sensitization in children.
- Studies highlight the global health costs of air pollutants and allergic diseases.
- Co-exposures to allergens and genetic variants (especially those related to oxidative stress) appear to modify effects. Links between exposure, epigenetic changes (DNA methylation), and disease are reinforced.
Conclusions:
- Recent data support air pollutants causing allergic disease exacerbation and potentially onset.
- Evidence for air pollution causing asthma onset has strengthened, though distinguishing allergic from nonallergic asthma remains challenging.
- The modifying roles of genetic variants and epigenetic changes require further research.
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