Asthma and eczema: gene discovery could be the missing link
Tuesday, March 28th, 2006UK researchers have discovered a gene that causes dry skin and leads to eczema and possibly asthma.
University of Dundee researchers have discovered a new gene that, when mutated, causes eczema and may be associated with asthma. An estimated 10% of the European population carries this mutation, sometimes leading to severe, uncontrolled disease requiring specialist treatment. However, while the discovery holds promise for new treatments for these patients, these drugs are still a long way off.
The researchers have discovered a gene mutation that causes eczema and is associated with the development of asthma. The normal, working variant of this gene produces filaggrin, a protein usually found in large quantities in the outer layers of the skin and important in keeping the skin healthy.
Eczema is caused when foreign bodies enter the skin and are attacked by the immune system, causing inflammation of the skin. The mutation also affects the lining of the airways, consequently triggering the inflammatory process that is the hallmark of asthma. The severity of the disease depends on whether people have a one or two defective copies of the gene.
About 9-10% of people of European origin carry one of the mutations and suffer from dry and flaky skin. However, patients who have both copies of the gene knocked out suffer from severe and persistent skin conditions and often require specialist treatment. It is estimated that more than one million people worldwide suffer from the severe form of the disease as a consequence of these mutations.
Furthermore, approximately 50% of eczema patients go on to develop asthma, accounting for about 25% of all asthma cases.
The recently discovered gene may partially explain why this group of patients cannot be treated effectively, and could even lead to a new therapeutic approach to eczema and asthma targeting the core of the disease. However, while initial drug discovery programs are already being set up, a potentially curative new treatment will take many years to develop.
Eczemas seem to be interrelated with a lot of asthmatics. Anecdotal evidence suggests that once correct breathing volumes is achieved, eczema begins to decrease. For further information please contact us on info@buteyko.ie.