Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T13:38:54.120Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The discovery and role of ADAM33, a new candidate gene for asthma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 September 2004

John W. Holloway
Affiliation:
Human Genetics Division, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
Tim P. Keith
Affiliation:
Department of Human Genetics, Genome Therapeutics Corporation, Waltham, MA 02453, USA.
Donna E. Davies
Affiliation:
Allergy and Inflammation Research, Infection, Inflammation and Repair Research Division, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, D level Centre Block (MP810), Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
Robert Powell
Affiliation:
Allergy and Inflammation Research, Infection, Inflammation and Repair Research Division, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, D level Centre Block (MP810), Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
Hans-Michael Haitchi
Affiliation:
Allergy and Inflammation Research, Infection, Inflammation and Repair Research Division, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, D level Centre Block (MP810), Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
Stephen T. Holgate
Affiliation:
Allergy and Inflammation Research, Infection, Inflammation and Repair Research Division, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, D level Centre Block (MP810), Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.

Abstract

Asthma is a complex disorder in which major genetic and environmental factors interact to initiate the disease and propagate it as a chronic relapsing disorder. Until recently, genetic factors implicated in the disease pathogenesis have been restricted to variants in known molecules involved in the inflammatory or remodelling pathways. This review discusses evidence for a new susceptibility gene for asthma, ADAM33, which was identified by positional cloning and shown to be selectively expressed in mesenchymal but not immune or inflammatory cells. ADAM33 belongs to a family of membrane–anchored metalloproteinases that also have fusagenic, adhesion and intracellular signalling properties. ADAM33 might play a key role in predisposing to the reduced lung function characteristic of asthma, possibly by influencing airway wall remodelling.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)