A genome-wide cross-trait analysis from UK Biobank highlights the shared genetic architecture of asthma and allergic diseases

Nat Genet. 2018 Jun;50(6):857-864. doi: 10.1038/s41588-018-0121-0. Epub 2018 May 21.

Abstract

Clinical and epidemiological data suggest that asthma and allergic diseases are associated and may share a common genetic etiology. We analyzed genome-wide SNP data for asthma and allergic diseases in 33,593 cases and 76,768 controls of European ancestry from UK Biobank. Two publicly available independent genome-wide association studies were used for replication. We have found a strong genome-wide genetic correlation between asthma and allergic diseases (rg = 0.75, P = 6.84 × 10-62). Cross-trait analysis identified 38 genome-wide significant loci, including 7 novel shared loci. Computational analysis showed that shared genetic loci are enriched in immune/inflammatory systems and tissues with epithelium cells. Our work identifies common genetic architectures shared between asthma and allergy and will help to advance understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying co-morbid asthma and allergic diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asthma / genetics*
  • Biological Specimen Banks
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Genetic Loci
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genome-Wide Association Study / methods
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / genetics*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • United Kingdom