Atopy ; genetic epidemiology in Japanese population

我们与牛津大学研究小组合作证实了特应性与染色体llq之间的联系。为了在日本人群中调查这一发现，我们随机招募了500名患者和对照个体，并采用常规方法提取DNA。在Fc epsilon RI β基因中发现的等位基因多态性与特应性之间存在显著关联。然而，特应性与染色体llq上的5‘和3’侧翼基因TCN1和CD20之间没有关联。这些结果证实了在Fc epsilon RI β基因周围存在一个特异作图的候选基因。在英国人群中，Fc epsilon RI β的一个变体Leu 181与特应性有很强的相关性。ARMS方法是一种简便的检测该变异的方法。还成功地从少量血液样本（100亩）和尿液中检测到极少量的DNA拷贝。这可能有助于从非洲、亚洲和南美洲国家收集血液样本，这些国家需要在高温下花费大量时间。因此，我们在西澳大利亚和东非收集了大约1000个DNA样本。在这些样本中检测到Leu 181变异，并与特应性显著相关。在日本人群中发现了一种与变应性鼻炎相关的新变异。正在对我国人口进行新的ARMS试验。近年来，国际上已发现了一定数量的特异反应候选基因。ARMS测试也可用于测试这些候选对象。这表明我们能够找到患有特应性反应的高风险个体。结合定量的环境因素，我们可以预测妊娠期特应性的发展。

We confirmed the association between atopy and chromosome llq in collabolation with University of Oxford research group. In order to investigate this finding in Japanese population, we recruited 500 random patients and control invididuals and DNA were extracted by usual method. There was a significant association between atopy and an allelic polymorphysm found in Fc epsilon RI beta gene. However, no association was found between atopy and 5' and 3' flanking genes, TCN1 and CD20 on chromosome llq. These results confirm that there is a candidate gene for atopy mapping around Fc epsilon RI beta gene.In English population, a variant, Leu 181 in Fc epsilon RI beta showed a storong association with atopy. As an easy tool to detect this variant, ARMS method was developed using PCR technique. Also succeeded in detecting very low number copies of DNA from small blood samples (100 mu) and urine. This might help to collect blood samples from Africa, Asia and South America countries where it takes a lot of time to move under high temperature.We therefore collected about 1000 DNA samples in western Australia and east Africa. Leu 181 variant was detected in those samples and is significantly associated with atopy. A new variants were found to be associated with allergic rhinitis in Japanese population. New ARMS tests were under way to investigate in our population.Recently, certain number of candidate gene for atopy have been documented in the world. ARMS tests are also available to test those candidates. This suggests that we are able to find high risk individuals for atopy. In combination with quantitating environmental factors, we can predict the development of atopy during pregnancy.