Absence of association between a variant of the mast cell chymase gene andatopic dermatitis in an Italian population

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic dermatitis which belongs to the group o f atopy-related diseases together with asthma and rhinitis. IgE and mast ce ll chymase (MCC) play a key ro le in atopic or allergic inflammation of the skin. An association between AD and a genetic variant of the MCC has been reported in a Japanese population, but failure of confirmation has rendered this association questionable, We have tested for genetic association to a n MCC variant in relation to AD in an Italian population. No significant as sociation was found between AD and MCC genotypes. These data suggest that B stX1 MCC polymorphism may not be involved in AD. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karg er AG, Basel.