Allergy Asthma Immunol Res.  2017 May;9(3):191-199. 10.4168/aair.2017.9.3.191.

Genetic Signatures of Asthma Exacerbation

• Park HW
• Tantisira

• KMID: 2371719
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2017.9.3.191

Abstract

Asthma exacerbation (AE) usually denotes worsening of asthma symptoms that requires intense management to prevent further deterioration. AE has been reported to correlate with clinical and demographic factors, such as race, gender, and treatment compliance as well as environmental factors, such as viral infection, smoking, and air pollution. In addition, recent observations suggest that there are likely to be genetic factors specific to AE. Understanding genetic factors specific to AE is essential to develop therapy tailored for exacerbation-prone asthma. Here, we summarize the results of studies involving genetic risk factors for AE. To simplify and enhance understanding, we reviewed the studies according to the following categories: hypothesis-driven approaches, hypothesis-free approaches, gene-environment interactions, and pharmacogenetics.

Keyword

Asthma exacerbation; genetics; gene-environment interaction; genome-wide association study; pharmacogenetics

MeSH Terms

Air Pollution
Asthma*
Compliance
Continental Population Groups
Demography
Gene-Environment Interaction
Genetics
Genome-Wide Association Study
Humans
Pharmacogenetics
Risk Factors
Smoke
Smoking
Smoke

Figure

• 

  Figure Summary of plausible biological mechanisms underlying genes associated with asthma exacerbation. (A) Genes related with gene-environment interactions and asthma pathogenesis. (B) Genes related with pharmacogenetic effects. β2AR, β2-adrenergic receptors; CysLTR1, cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1; GC, glucocorticoid; GR, glucocorticoid receptor; LTC4, leukotriene C4.

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