The nasal methylome and childhood atopic asthma.

Background: Given the strong environmental influence on both epigenetic marks and allergic asthma in children, the epigenetic alterations in respiratory epithelia might provide insight into allergic asthma.

Objective: We sought to identify DNA methylation and gene expression changes associated with childhood allergic persistent asthma.

Methods: We compared genomic DNA methylation patterns and gene expression in African American children with persistent atopic asthma (n = 36) versus healthy control subjects (n = 36).

Exploring racial differences in IgE-mediated food allergy in the WHEALS birth cohort.

Background: Suspected food allergies are the cause of more than 200,000 visits to the emergency department annually. Racial differences in the prevalence of food allergy have also been reported, but the evidence is less conclusive. Researchers continue to struggle with the identification of food allergy for epidemiologic studies.

DNA methylation and childhood asthma in the inner city.

Background: Epigenetic marks are heritable, influenced by the environment, direct the maturation of T lymphocytes, and in mice enhance the development of allergic airway disease. Thus it is important to define epigenetic alterations in asthmatic populations.

Objective: We hypothesize that epigenetic alterations in circulating PBMCs are associated with allergic asthma.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ1) in breast milk and indicators of infant atopy in a birth cohort.

Background: The infant gut's ability to suppress immunologic reactions to food proteins could be influenced by levels of TGFβ in breast milk. We hypothesized that lower levels of TGFβ(1) in the breast milk (BM) of mothers in the WHEALS birth cohort are associated with atopy at infant age 2-3 yrs.

Methods: We used data collected during infancy in addition to the results of skin prick tests (SPT+) and measures of specific IgE >0.

Analysis of allergen specific IgE cut points to cat and dog in the Childhood Allergy Study.

Background: The application of a single allergen specific IgE (sIgE) cut point, such as 0.35 kU/L, to determine sensitization for all allergens may be suboptimal.

Objectives: To analyze self-reported symptoms suggestive of dog and cat allergy in relation to the test performance characteristics of low level, but reliably detectable, sIgE and to compare these cut points to the traditional 0.

Are specific allergen sensitivities inherited?

A family history of an allergic condition is a well-accepted risk factor for the development of an allergic condition in an individual, particularly for allergic disorders such as asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis. However, the question of whether specific allergen sensitization is inherited requires a complicated answer, as environmental exposure plays an important role in the development of allergen-specific IgE. This article summarizes the findings of recent studies in the literature regarding what is known about the inheritance of specific allergens.

Specific allergic sensitization in parents and their 18-year-old offspring in the Suburban Detroit Childhood Allergy Study.

Background: Allergic sensitization is increased among offspring of sensitized parents.

Objective: We sought to evaluate whether 18-year-old offspring are likely to have the same allergic sensitizations as their parents.

Methods: Eighteen-year-old participants in an unselected birth cohort and their parents were tested for total and increased (>0.