domingo, 20 de marzo de 2011

Epigenetics of asthma. [Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011] - PubMed result



Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011 Mar 10. [Epub ahead of print]

Epigenetics of asthma.
Durham AL, Wiegman C, Adcock IM.


Abstract
Asthma is caused by both heritable and environmental factors. It has become clear that genetic studies do not adequately explain the heritability and susceptibility to asthma. The study of epigenetics, heritable non-coding changes to DNA may help to explain the heritable component of asthma. Additionally, epigenetic modifications can be influenced by the environment, including pollution and cigarette smoking, which are known asthma risk factors. These environmental trigger-induced epigenetic changes may be involved in skewing the immune system towards a Th2 phenotype following in utero exposure and thereby enhancing the risk of asthma. Alternatively, they may directly or indirectly modulate the immune and inflammatory processes in asthmatics via effects on treatment responsiveness. The study of epigenetics may therefore play an important role in our understanding and possible treatment of asthma and other allergic diseases.

Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier B.V.
PMID: 21397662 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Epigenetics of asthma. [Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011] - PubMed result

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