Contributing factors to the pathobiology - The genetics of asthma

Genetic studies of asthma and other atopic phenotypes have progressed rapid ly in the past 5 years. The completion of genome-wide screens in five popul ation samples have identified at least 20 potential chromosomal regions tha t show evidence for linkage in multiple studies. In some of these regions, candidate gene studies have revealed associations with asthma or asthma-ass ociated phenotypes in selected samples. Furthermore, studies in mouse model s have shown linkage to regions that are syntenic to three of the linked re gions in humans. These studies and the status of our current understanding of the genetics of asthma are reviewed.