Studies on linkage and association of atopy with the chromosomal region 12q13-24.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown linkage of bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and total serum IgE concentration to the chromosomal region 12q13-24 in ethnical diverse populations. This region harbours a number of candidate genes for asthma and atopy, including stem cell factor (SCF), leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H), thyroid receptor 2 (TR2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6). However, the same region was shown as well to be linked to other diseases with inflammatory character. So far no variants in any of these genes have been published which would allow association studies and confirm the pathogenicity of any of these genes. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to test for linkage of the chromosomal region 12q13-24 with the atopic phenotype without regard to clinical manifestations. Furthermore we screened for common nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes to enable association studies. METHODS: We employed sib-pair linkage analysis and transmission disequilibrium testing with regard to four highly polymorphic microsatellite markers in 12q13-24 in atopic nuclear families. In addition, we looked for polymorphisms in the genes coding for SCF, LTA4H, TR2 and STAT6 performing SSCP-analysis and direct genomic sequencing. RESULTS: We found no evidence for linkage of the genomic region 12q13-24 to elevated total serum IgE levels, specific sensitization to common inhalant allergens or atopy. Furthermore we identified three nucleotide polymorphisms including one common variant in the gene coding for SCF. No association of this polymorphism and any of the atopic phenotypes was seen. CONCLUSION: We conclude from our data that genes in the chromosomal region 12q13-24 and in particular SCF are unlikely to exert a major effect on the induction of the atopic phenotype in our Caucasian population. However, we did not focus on the asthmatic and thereby inflammatory aspect of atopy which might explain these results in contradiction to previous studies.