Recent findings in the genetics and epigenetics of asthma and allergy

Abstract

In asthma and allergy genetics, a trend towards a few main topics developed over the last 2 years. First, a number of studies have been published recently which focus on overlapping and/or very specific phenotypes: within the allergy spectrum but also reaching beyond, looking for common genetic traits shared between different diseases or disease entities. Secondly, an urgently needed focus has been put on asthma and allergy genetics in populations genetically different from European ancestry. This acknowledges that the majority of new asthma patients today are not white and asthma is a truly worldwide disease. In epigenetics, recent years have seen several large-scale epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) being published and a further focus was on the interaction between the environment and epigenetic signatures. And finally, the major trends in current asthma and allergy genetics and epigenetics comes from the field of pharmacogenetics, where it is necessary to understand the susceptibility for and mechanisms of current asthma and allergy therapies while at the same time, we need to have scientific answers to the recent availability of novel drugs that hold the promise for a more individualized therapy.

Preface

“…Several studies have focused on overlapping or specific phenotypes within the allergy spectrum and beyond, looking for common genetic traits shared between different diseases or disease entities. Importantly, asthma and allergy genetics in populations genetically different from European ancestry have been addressed, being key as the majority of new asthma patients are not white [4]. In epigenetics, several large-scale epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) have been performed and interaction between environment and epigenetic signatures were of focus.…”

“…In epigenetics, several large-scale epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) have been performed and interaction between environment and epigenetic signatures were of focus. Finally, the field of pharmacogenetics has been shown central to understand the susceptibility for and mechanisms of current asthma and allergy therapies, while in parallel, scientific answers to the availability of novel drugs promising individualized therapy are urgently needed [4].…”

Differential DNA methylation in allergen-specific immunotherapy of asthma

“… 1 In recent years, epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) have revealed an interaction between epigenetic signatures and allergic diseases, including pediatric asthma. 1 , 2 …”

“… 1 Children with active IgE-mediated cow’s milk allergy (CMA) showed significantly less FOXP3 TSDR demethylation than those who outgrew CMA or healthy controls, thereby suggesting that FOXP3 TSDR demethylation could serve as a biomarker for oral tolerance. 2 …”

“…Increasing evidence has revealed that AIT can modify epigenetic mechanisms to induce the tolerance of allergens. 2 Timothy grass and dust mite dual SLIT increases allergen-specific Foxp3 + memory Treg cells with reduced DNA methylation of CpG sites within the FOXP3 locus. 1 In a mouse model, significant hypermethylation of the Gata3 promoter restricted to Th2 cells and hypomethylation of the Foxp3 promoter in CD62L + Treg cells were found after the use of EPIT containing peanut proteins.…”