Interaction of NPSR1 genotypes and probiotics in the manifestation of atopic eczema in early childhood.

Background: Neuropeptide S Receptor (NPSR1) gene has been associated with multiple allergic phenotypes in several patient populations.

Objective: We analysed the effect of the NPSR1 genotypes in the development of asthma, rhinitis, eczema, or food allergy in children randomly receiving either probiotic or placebo treatment.

Methods: 796 children born to families at high risk for allergic diseases were examined by a paediatrician at the age of three months, six months, two years, and five years. Asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and food allergy were diagnosed according to international guidelines. Treatment with probiotics (double-blinded and placebo controlled) was begun with mothers at 35 weeks of gestation age and continued after the birth of infants up to the age of six months. Association and additive inheritance models were used in genetic analyses.

Results: Distribution of the hopo546333 was suggestive in the group of patients with atopic eczema at two years. The hopo546333_G was found more often in those with eczema in the placebo group (p=0.048, after Bonferroni correction) and the hopo546333_A was found more often in those with eczema and probiotics compared to those with eczema and placebo treatment. None of the NPSR1 tagging SNPs was associated with asthma, IgE-mediated asthma, or sensitisation. Allergic disease in both parents doubled the risk for IgE-mediated allergic disease (OR 2.1).

Conclusions: The NPSR1 gene SNP hopo546333 showed a suggestive association for high IgE-associated atopic eczema at two years.