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5/28/2008 Another Risk Factor Gene for AsthmaSummary The study concluded that the ORMDL3 locus is a risk factor for asthma in ethnically diverse populations. Reference
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SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 20085/28/2008
Another Risk Factor Gene for Asthma
Summary
The ORMDL3 gene has been previously shown to be associated with asthma in British and German white patients. The function of this gene is unknown, but it is thought to play a role in protein folding. It is located on chromosome 17q21. It has never been tested in ethnically diverse populations. The object of this study was to see if this gene was associated with asthma in Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and African-Americans. The gene was also found to be a risk factor in these populations, and became a stronger risk factor among the Mexican and Puerto Rican subjects with asthma who had levels of IgE greater than 100 IU/ml. There was no association between ORMDL3 single nucleotide polymorphisms and baseline lung function or response to the bronchodilator albuterol.The study concluded that the ORMDL3 locus is a risk factor for asthma in ethnically diverse populations.
Reference
Galanther J, et al. ORMDL3 gene is associated with asthma in three ethnically diverse populations. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2008; 177(11):1194-1200.
