Suggestive evidence for genetic linkage between IgE phenotypes and chromosome 14q markers

Chromosome 14q was screened for loci modulating immunoglobulin E (IgE) phen otypes in 15 extended and 45 nuclear asthmatic families using a panel of 14 microsatellite markers. We examined the reported linkage between the TCR A /D locus on 14q11.2 and specific (cognate) allergic responses and observed supportive evidence for linkage between a general skin prick test reactivit y trait (but not with total serum IgE) and TCRA microsatellite (in the tota l sample of informative sib-pairs p = 0.039, in selected sample of one or z ero affected parent p = 0.017). We also show suggestive evidence for a nove l linkage between markers D14S75 and D14S63 on 14q13-23 and log total serum IgE (p = 0.034 and p = 0.0029). The evidence for linkage with marker D14S6 3 on 14q23 is strengthened by the finding of association of allele 165 to l og IgE (p = 0.0029). We conclude that chromosome 14q may contain a locus cl ose to TCR A/D at 14q11.2 linked to skin prick reactivity and a locus at 14 q13-23 linked to total serum IgE.