Linkage of high-affinity IgE receptor gene with bronchial hyperreactivity, even in absence of atopy

Abstract

Summary. Asthma is a manifestation of bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) and forms part of the spectrum of atopic diease. Some pedigree studies of atopy have suggested linkage with the high-affinity IgE receptor (Fc∈ Rlβ) gene on chromosome 11q13, but others find no linkage. The molecular genetics of asthma and BHR have not been studied in the general population. We examined the genetic linkage of the Fc∈ Rlβ gene with clinical asthma and the underlying phenotypes of BHR (to methacholine) and atopy (defined by skinprick testing) in 123 affected sibling-pairs recruited from the general population. We found evidence of significant linkage of a highly polymorphic microsatellite marker in the fifth..