Much atopy about the skin: genome-wide molecular analysis of atopic eczema

Abstract

Background: Atopic eczema (AE) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with an increasing prevalence in industrialized countries.

Methods: Genox Research Incorporation was founded in 1996 to identify new genes involved in allergic diseases in collaboration with the National Children's Hospital in Tokyo. In the AE project, they have discovered several hundred new genes and partial DNA sequences by mainly using microarrays. Here, I review the results obtained using transcriptome analysis, performed by Genox and other investigators.

Results: Transcriptome analysis using skin lesion, CD4+ T cells, monocytes and eosinophils derived from AE patients identified some differentially expressed genes which became biologically relevant in the following studies. Missing linkages between these genes have been found due to the recent development of genomics.

Conclusion: Many AE-related genes found in the genome-wide studies still remain to be determined regarding their functions and to be systemically organized. After the comprehensive characterization of these genes by further studies, we will identify the precise molecular mechanisms involved in AE and other diseases.