GENETICS OF ATOPY AND ALLERGIC RHINITIS IN SINGAPORE CHINESE

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a complex disease affecting nearly 600 million people worldwide resulting from a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors with nearly 40% prevalence in children. Genetic association studies have yielded mixed results for AR. The aim of this project is to identify genetic variants associated to allergic rhinitis using two approaches: (i) Genome ¿wide association study and (ii) candidate gene based. The study population consists of 5887 volunteers recruited through multiple recruitment drives in Singapore with more than 90% population being ethnic Chinese. Two novel candidate genes identified MRPL4 and BCAP, key components of the HIF-1a and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways respectively were validated. Many previously reported candidate genes (CTLA4, ICOS, BDNF, NPSR1, UGRP1 and HLA genes) were also validated as associated in our Singapore Chinese population. Gene- gene interaction analysis for AR has identified novel interactions such as between PHF11 and IFNG. The identified candidates help understand pathogenesis of AR which may lead to possible targets for therapeutic intervention.