Researchers Report Gene Linked to Asthma in Children

Researchers have found that a gene on chromosome one appears to be linked to moderate to severe persistent asthma in children -- the second such genetic locus associated with the disease. "In asthma, patients have an inappropriate immune response in which they develop airway inflammation and overreaction of the airway muscle cells, referred to as airway hyper-responsiveness," authors said. Gene mutations appear to lead to overproduction of immune system chemicals called cytokines that subsequently drive this oversensitive response in asthma patients. Authors said the research may have pinpointed a therapeutic target. "Because this gene seems to regulate many different cytokines, intervening in this pathway has great potential for treating asthma.”. . read more.