''Allergy gene'' identified by scientists

[sharmila banu.m]

''Allergy gene'' identified by scientists


London, July 10 (PTI) Scientists have identified an "allergy gene" which more than doubles the risk of asthma, hay fever and eczema, a finding that could lead to new therapies to prevent allergies. A team, led by the University of Edinburgh, has found that the filaggrin gene helps skin produce a protective barrier against the foreign bodies that trigger allergies, the ''British Medical Journal'' journal reported.

In fact, in their analysis of 24 previous studies, the scientists found that people with defects in this gene are much more likely to develop unwelcome reactions like sneezing and itchy eyes, dermatitis, asthma, hay fever and eczema. The gene mutations also increased the risk of asthma in people with severe dermatitis, the findings revealed.

Lead scientist Prof Aziz Sheikh said: "What we found was a more than doubling in the risk of these allergies among people with this defect. "These findings provide strong supporting evidence that, at least in a subset of those with allergic problems, the filaggrin gene defect may be the fundamental predisposing factor not only for the development of eczema but also for initial sensitisation and progression of allergic disease.

"Our finding suggests filaggrin is a robust biomarker for allergic conditions. What''s striking is a high proportion of people who are getting eczema, it''s an incredibly common disorder, and if the filaggrin gene is the major factor.

It may be we can target it with drugs that can repair this protective skin barrier in due course." .