Interactions Between Polygenic Pleiotropy and Air Pollution in the Pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis

Background: The polygenic risk score (PRS) for atopic dermatitis (AD) shows promise for early intervention. In addition, air pollution has been linked to AD.Objective: This study aims to investigate the combined effects of PRS and air pollutants on the onset of AD in the Asian population.Methods: This case-control study recruited AD patients from Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative. Logistic regression analyzed the AD risk associated with air pollution and PRS.Results: The study enrolled 1453 patients with AD. PGS002677 yielded the highest odds ratio (OR) for AD onset [OR 1.270, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.096-1.472, P = 0.002]. Individuals in the highest PRS quartile who were exposed to low levels of particulate matter 2.5 µm (PM_2.5) for 5 years (OR 1.273, 95% CI: 1.014-1.597, P = 0.038) and 10 years (OR 1.296, 95% CI: 1.031-1.628, P = 0.026). In contrast, exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) for 1 year was associated with a higher risk of AD (OR 1.282, 95% CI: 1.025-1.603, P = 0.030).Conclusions: Air pollution, particularly PM_2.5 and NO₂, may interact with genetic background and act as a risk factor contributing to the onset of AD.