Detection of loci for allergic asthma using SMXA recombinant inbred strains of mice

Immunogenetics. 2013 Jan;65(1):17-24. doi: 10.1007/s00251-012-0656-7. Epub 2012 Oct 19.

Abstract

Asthma is regarded as a multifactorial inflammatory disorder arising as a result of inappropriate immune responses in genetically susceptible individuals to common environmental antigens. However, the precise molecular basis is unknown. To identify genes for susceptibility to three asthma-related traits, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), eosinophil infiltration, and allergen-specific serum IgE levels, we conducted a genetic analysis using SMXA recombinant inbred (RI) strains of mice. Quantitative trait locus analysis detected a significant locus for AHR on chromosome 17. For eosinophil infiltration, significant loci were detected on chromosomes 9 and 16. Although we could not detect any significant loci for allergen-specific serum IgE, analysis of consomic strains showed that chromosomes 17 and 19 carried genes that affected this trait. We detected genetic susceptibility loci that separately regulated the three asthma-related phenotypes. Our results suggested that different genetic mechanisms regulate these asthma-related phenotypes. Genetic analyses using murine RI and consomic strains enhance understanding of the molecular mechanisms of asthma in human.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / genetics*
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Eosinophils / immunology
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genotype
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Mice
  • Ovalbumin
  • Quantitative Trait Loci

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Ovalbumin