SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007 December 10, 2007 A Polymorphism in STAT1 Gene may be Protective in Regards to Atopic Sensitization Summary The authors evaluated STAT1 for its potential effect on the incidence of allergy. STAT1 is a signal transducer and activator of transcription that is centrally involved in many inflammatory pathways. They looked at polymorphisms of STAT1 in 3,099 German children recruited and phenotyped by the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in childhood. This study group was a part of ISAAC II. They found that a polymorphism (SNP) at C39134A, located in a potentially cis acting regulator element in STAT1 intron 24, was inversely related to atopy as assessed by skin prick test, and total and specific serum IgE levels. There was no effect, however, on atopic disease risk. They concluded that STAT1 SNP C39134A may protect from atopic sensitization. Editor's Comments Recently STAT6 polymorphisms were found to be important in IgE regulation in the hyper-IgE syndrome. It is now interesting to note that a polymorphism in STAT1 may be protective regarding atopic sensitization. Reference Pinto LA, et al. STAT1 gene variations, IgE regulation, and atopy. In: Allergy, December 2007; 62(12):1456-1461.   © Copyright 1997-2007 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology All rights reserved