New Genetic Risk Factors Identified for Peanut Allergy
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 25 Oct 2017 |
|
Image: Whole genome genotyping arrays are an important tool for discovering variants that contribute to human disease (Photo courtesy of Megan Smolenyak, MBA).
Peanut allergy develops in early life and is rarely outgrown. Roughly 1% of Canadian adults and between 2% and 3% of Canadian children are affected, and the symptoms can be severe and even life threatening.
A new gene associated with peanut allergy has been revealed, offering further evidence that genes play a role in the development of food allergies and opening the door to future studies, improved diagnostics and new treatment options.
An international team of scientists collaborating with those at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC, Canada) scanned more than 7.5 million genetic locations in the DNA of 850 people with peanut allergy and nearly 1,000 people without it, through a genome-wide association study (GWAS), to search for markers that might be linked to food allergy. They recruited the peanut allergy participants from the Canadian Peanut Allergy Registry. The team also conducted a fresh analysis of results pooled from six other genetic studies of populations in North America, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands. Genotyping of 1,974 individuals (987 cases, 987 controls) was conducted on the Illumina Omni 2.5M+Exome 8v1.1 chip.
The scientists reported that their study is the first to associate the EMSY, BRCA2 Interacting Transcriptional Repressor (EMSY) locus with food allergy, and these findings suggest that the gene plays an important role in the development of not just food allergy but also general allergic predisposition. The gene, called c11orf30/EMSY (EMSY), is already known to play a role in other allergy-related conditions, such as eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The team also found evidence that five other genetic locations might be involved.
Denise Daley, PhD, an associate professor and senior author of the study, said, “Food allergy is the result of both genetic and environmental factors, but there are surprisingly few data regarding the genetic basis of this condition. The discovery of this genetic link gives us a fuller picture of the causes of food allergies, and this could eventually help doctors identify children at risk.” The study was published on November 10, 2017, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Related Links:
University of British Columbia
A new gene associated with peanut allergy has been revealed, offering further evidence that genes play a role in the development of food allergies and opening the door to future studies, improved diagnostics and new treatment options.
An international team of scientists collaborating with those at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC, Canada) scanned more than 7.5 million genetic locations in the DNA of 850 people with peanut allergy and nearly 1,000 people without it, through a genome-wide association study (GWAS), to search for markers that might be linked to food allergy. They recruited the peanut allergy participants from the Canadian Peanut Allergy Registry. The team also conducted a fresh analysis of results pooled from six other genetic studies of populations in North America, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands. Genotyping of 1,974 individuals (987 cases, 987 controls) was conducted on the Illumina Omni 2.5M+Exome 8v1.1 chip.
The scientists reported that their study is the first to associate the EMSY, BRCA2 Interacting Transcriptional Repressor (EMSY) locus with food allergy, and these findings suggest that the gene plays an important role in the development of not just food allergy but also general allergic predisposition. The gene, called c11orf30/EMSY (EMSY), is already known to play a role in other allergy-related conditions, such as eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The team also found evidence that five other genetic locations might be involved.
Denise Daley, PhD, an associate professor and senior author of the study, said, “Food allergy is the result of both genetic and environmental factors, but there are surprisingly few data regarding the genetic basis of this condition. The discovery of this genetic link gives us a fuller picture of the causes of food allergies, and this could eventually help doctors identify children at risk.” The study was published on November 10, 2017, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Related Links:
University of British Columbia
Gold Member
Neonatal Heel Incision Device
Tenderfoot
Food Allergy Screening ELISA Kit
Allerquant 14G B ELISA
Steam Sterilizer
Hi Vac II Line
Latest Molecular Diagnostics News
- WHO Adds First Bundibugyo Ebola Molecular Test to Emergency Use Listing
- Blood Test Helps Guide Post-Surgical Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
- Study Supports Earlier Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
- Noninvasive Biomarkers Advance Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment
- Rapid Brush Biopsy Test Detects Oral Cancer in One Hour
- AI-Driven Blood Test Enhances Early Detection of Multiple Cancers
- Interpretable AI Tool Improves Prediction of Immunotherapy Response
- Blood Test Using Circular RNA Biomarkers Predicts Alzheimer’s Progression
- At-Home PCR Test Detects Flu and COVID-19 in 30 Minutes
- New Sequencing Platform Delivers Same-Day Whole-Genome Results
- Blood-Based RNA Biomarker Improves Prediction of Alzheimer’s Onset
- New Molecular Marker Helps Predict Multiple Myeloma Prognosis
- Gene Expression Test Supports Metastatic Risk Assessment in Melanoma
- Multiplex PCR Test Identifies Seven STI Pathogens in One Hour
- CSF Sequencing Test Aligns with Updated Brain Tumor Guidelines
- Framework Outlines Genomic Testing Strategy for Safer Drug Dosing in Africa
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Identify Faster Cognitive Decline in Adults Over 80
Diagnosing the cause of cognitive decline in adults over 80 is challenging because multiple comorbidities can blur early clinical presentations. As a result, memory complaints are often attributed to normal... Read more
ADLM Issues Laboratory Guidance for Gender-Diverse Patient Care
Laboratory medicine increasingly intersects with gender-affirming care, where hormone therapy and rigid health record fields can complicate the interpretation of routine tests. Without appropriate clinical... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
WHO Adds First Bundibugyo Ebola Molecular Test to Emergency Use Listing
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus is a severe, often life-threatening illness that spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids. Rapid confirmation of infection is critical for early care,... Read more
Study Supports Earlier Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancers may go undetected in at-risk relatives until standard screening begins, narrowing the window for prevention. Earlier identification of pathogenic variants can inform... Read more
Hematology
view channel
AI Decision Support System Guides Treatment Selection for Complex Blood Cancers
Treatment selection for hematologic malignancies often requires clinicians to synthesize clinical histories, genomic alterations, prior therapies, and rapidly evolving drug options. These complex decisions... Read more
Blood Test Helps Predict Short-Term Mortality After Severe Heart Attack
ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a severe heart attack caused by complete blockage of a coronary artery. Early risk stratification at hospital admission is challenging but essential for guiding... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
Genomic Surveillance Algorithm Improves Early Detection of Emerging Variants
Genomic surveillance is essential for detecting viral variants before they spread widely, yet many public health systems face high costs, uneven capacity, and computational barriers. Existing analytic... Read more
Rapid Gastrointestinal PCR Panels Deliver One-Hour Results
Acute infectious gastroenteritis remains a major cause of illness worldwide, especially in young children, older adults, and immunocompromised patients. Nonspecific symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting,... Read more
H. pylori Screening Within Colorectal Program Aids Gastric Cancer Prevention
Health systems increasingly rely on economic evidence to guide cancer prevention strategies. For gastric cancer, selecting screening approaches that can integrate with existing programs is a key policy question.... Read more
Machine Learning Reveals Consistent Gut Microbiome Patterns in Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer has been repeatedly linked to alterations in the gut microbiome, yet findings have often varied across small, heterogeneous studies. Reproducibility has been limited by differing sequencing... Read morePathology
view channel
EBV Status Helps Predict Survival in Primary CNS Lymphoma
Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a rare malignancy in which tumors arise in the brain and, less often, the spinal cord, eyes, or cerebrospinal fluid. Outcomes are especially variable when the... Read more
AI Pathology Tool Predicts Immunotherapy Response in Rare Cancers
Immunotherapy has transformed care for select malignancies, yet predicting which patients with rare cancers are most likely to benefit remains challenging. Clinicians often have only limited biomarkers... Read more
Technology
view channel
New CE-Certified Software Advances Whole-Genome Cancer Testing
European hospitals are increasingly using comprehensive tumor genomics to guide therapy, but routine whole genome sequencing (WGS) requires validated, regulation-compliant workflows. A newly CE-certified... Read more
National Rare Disease Registry Standardizes Genetic and Clinical Data for Coordinated Care
Rare diseases collectively impose a significant clinical burden despite their individual rarity, often involving multisystem presentations and prolonged diagnostic journeys. Limited specialist expertise... Read more
Industry
view channel
Eurobio Scientific Completes Acquisition of CareDx Lab Products Division
Eurobio Scientific has closed the acquisition of CareDx AB in Sweden and its fully owned subsidiaries in the United States and Australia that constitute CareDx’s Lab Products division. The business will... Read more
Blood-Based CRISPR Test for Tuberculosis Gains Regulatory Approval in Colombia
Colombia remains a high-priority setting for tuberculosis, with a growing need for diagnostics that complement existing testing strategies and improve access to earlier diagnosis. Solutions that function... Read more
