Shared Genetic Susceptibility Between Asthma and Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zigong Fourth People's Hospital, Zigong, China, zg120.cn.
Canadian Respiratory Journal
|May 31, 2026
Summary
Asthma shares significant genetic links with 13 immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), particularly allergic rhinitis. These findings highlight shared genetic underpinnings and potential causal relationships between asthma and various IMIDs.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited understanding of genetic links between asthma and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs).
- Need for comprehensive evaluation of shared genetic factors in asthma and IMIDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate genetic correlations and causal interplay between asthma and a wide range of IMIDs.
- To identify shared genetic underpinnings contributing to asthma and IMIDs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for analysis.
- Employed linkage disequilibrium score regression, multitrait GWAS, and genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) analysis.
- Performed Bayesian colocalization to identify shared causal relationships.
Main Results:
- Identified significant genetic correlations between asthma and 13 out of 19 IMIDs.
- Strongest genetic correlation found between asthma and allergic rhinitis (rg = 0.665).
- Discovered 15 genetic loci with pleiotropic effects, including nine with shared causal relationships, enriched in immune regulation genes.
- Observed tissue-specific enrichment in lung and spleen, and cell-type-specific enrichment in B-cells.
Conclusions:
- Confirmed significant genetic correlations between asthma and IMIDs.
- Highlighted shared genetic architecture between asthma and various IMIDs.
- Warranted further research into specific loci and underlying mechanisms.
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