Key Allergy Gene Discovered By Munich Researchers
Together with colleagues from the Department of
Dermatology and Allergy and the Center for Allergy
and Environment (ZAUM) of the Technische Universitat
Munchen, scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen
have pinpointed a major gene for allergic diseases.
The gene was localized using cutting edge technologies
for examining the whole human genome at the Helmholtz
Zentrum Munchen.
Schematic representation of the high affinity receptor
for IgE. Variants within the gene encoding the alpha
chain are associated with increased levels of IgE
antibodies
The newly discovered FCER1A gene encodes the alpha
chain of high affinity IgE receptor, which plays
a major role in controlling allergic responses. The
team of scientists led by Dr. Stephan Weidinger from
the Technische Universität München and
Dr. Thomas Illig from the Helmholtz Zentrum München
found that certain variations of the FCER1A gene
decisively influence the production of immunoglobulin
E (IgE) antibodies. IgE antibodies are a particular
type of antibody that is normally used to protect
against parasites. In Western lifestyle countries
with less contact, however, elevated IgE levels are
associated with allergic disorders.
In genetically susceptible individuals the immune
system becomes biased and produces IgE antibodies
against harmless agents such as pollen, dust mites
or animal hair. These IgE antibodies then work in
conjunction with certain cells to get rid of the
allergens, a process that gives rise to the symptoms
of allergy such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever),
atopic dermatitis or asthma.
"Most people with allergies are atopic - meaning
they have a genetic tendency to develop allergies.
To detect the genetic factors we examined the genomes
of more than 10,000 adults and children from the
whole of Germany" explained Stephan Weidinger.
Most of the persons examined for the study come
from the population studies of the KORA (co-operative
health research in the Augsburg region) research
platform, which is led by Prof. Dr. H.-Erich Wichmann,
the Director of the Institute of Epidemiology at
the Helmholtz Zentrum München. The allergological
examinations were carried by the Department for Dermatology
and Allergy of the Technische Universität München
headed by Prof. Dr. Dr. Johannes Ring.
Although in its early stages, the new knowledge
on the regulation of IgE production does have the
potential to guide the development of new drugs.
