Gene encoding Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines is associated with asthma and IgE in three populations.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Asthma prevalence and severity are high among underserved minorities, including those of African descent. The Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines is the receptor for Plasmodium vivax on erythrocytes and functions as a chemokine-clearing receptor. Unlike European populations, decreased expression of the receptor on erythrocytes is common among populations of African descent, and results from a functional T-46C polymorphism (rs2814778) in the promoter. This variant provides an evolutionary advantage in malaria-endemic regions, because Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines-negative erythrocytes are more resistant to infection by P. vivax.

Objectives

To determine the role of the rs2814778 polymorphism in asthma and atopy as measured by total serum IgE levels among fo

SUBMITTER: Vergara C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2582596 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature