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Gene-Environment Interactions in Childhood Asthma: From Prenatal Exposures to Targeted Interventions
Siqi Li1, Wanru Shang1, Hongbing Luo1
1Department of Pediatric Respiration, Children's Medical Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Summary
Investigating gene-environment interactions is key to understanding childhood asthma. This research explores environmental factors and genetic interactions to improve asthma prevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent global respiratory disease in children and adults.
- Its development involves intricate genetic and environmental factors.
- Understanding gene-environment interactions is crucial for childhood asthma research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review environmental exposures and their impact on childhood asthma risk.
- To analyze gene-environment (G×E) interactions from statistical, mechanistic, and epigenetic viewpoints.
- To evaluate current and emerging asthma treatments and interventions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of environmental factors in prenatal and postnatal periods.
- Analysis of G×E interactions in childhood asthma, including statistical, mechanistic, and epigenetic perspectives.
- Evaluation of existing and novel treatment and intervention strategies for asthma.
Main Results:
- Environmental exposures significantly influence childhood asthma risk.
- G×E interactions play a critical role in asthma pathogenesis, offering insights into individual variability.
- Current interventions vary in effectiveness, highlighting the need for precision-based approaches.
Conclusions:
- Investigating G×E interactions is essential for uncovering molecular mechanisms of childhood asthma.
- Despite challenges, G×E research can improve understanding of asthma endotypes.
- This approach promises more effective, personalized prevention and treatment strategies for childhood asthma.
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