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The alliance of genes and environment in asthma and allergy

Nature volume 402, pages 5–11 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

The diseases of asthma, eczema and hay fever are typified by reactions to common allergens, which are mediated by immunoglobulin E. These allergic diseases are increasing in prevalence, and are now a major source of disability throughout the developed world. They are the result of complex interactions between largely unknown genetic and environmental mechanisms.The identification of the environmental factors offers the real possibility of prevention of disease, and unravelling the genetics of allergic illnesses is likely to change their classification and treatment. Early life seems particularly important, when the initiation of allergic disease may result from genetic and environmental modification of the immune interaction between mother and child.

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Figure 1: Consequences of allergic inflammation.
Figure 2: The crystal structure of the birch pollen allergen, Bet v I.
Figure 3: Gene clusters affecting allergic inflammation.

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Notes

  1. *Terms in italic are defined in the glossary on p. 39.

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Cookson, W. The alliance of genes and environment in asthma and allergy. Nature 402 (Suppl 6760), 5–11 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/35037002

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