Search is Powered by Google
Genetics News

Disadvantage "Gets Under The Skin" And Alters Genes

Main Category: Genetics
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 10 Nov 2008 - 2:00 PST

email icon email to a friend   printer icon printer friendly   write icon view / write opinions   rate icon rate article
Current Article Ratings:

Patient / Public:5 stars

5 (2 votes)

Health Professional:1 star

1 (1 votes)

Article Opinions: 1 posts

Poverty and social disadvantage "get under the skin" and alter genes-at least those involved in asthma-suggests a small study published ahead of print in the journal Thorax.

Social disadvantage has long been recognised as a major factor in greater vulnerability to sickness and death, and it is also associated with more severe asthma in childhood, the evidence shows.

The research team assessed the genetic profiles of a group of immune system cells (T lymphoctyes) in 31 children between the ages of 9 and 18, all of whom had been diagnosed with asthma.

T cells are involved in the airway inflammation that occurs in response to particular triggers, such as dust or animal hairs, and which typifies an asthma attack.

The parents also reported on their children's day and night-time symptoms and whether these symptoms had prompted the need for emergency care during the previous six months.

Half the children came from affluent privileged backgrounds, and half the children came from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Genes regulating inflammatory responses were much more active in children from disadvantaged backgrounds than in children from privileged backgrounds.

This included those genes involved in producing powerful inflammatory chemicals, called cytokines, which induce stress responses and wound healing.

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds also had more severe asthma symptoms.

Further analysis revealed differences between the two groups in signalling related to pathways that control immune cell activity and which are the targets of asthma drugs.

Children from privileged backgrounds had an excess of genes that help to contain inflammatory responses.

The design of the study means that definitive conclusions about cause and effect cannot be drawn, say the authors.

But they add: "...the findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the larger social environment can get 'under the skin' at the [genomic level]."

They also suggest that negative perceptions of the environment can alter biological mechanisms in the body, potentially explaining how disadvantaged backgrounds may get "under the skin."

"Genome wide transcriptional profiling linked to social class in asthma."
Thorax Online First 2008 doi 10.1136/thx.2007.095091
Click here to view the paper in full.

British Medical Journal
BMA House
Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9JP
http://group.bmj.com/





Customized Homepage Weekly Newsletters Daily News Alerts
Home About Us News Licensing Free Website Feeds Free Tools & Content Links Tell a Friend Accessibility Help / FAQ Article Submission Contact Us
Urology
ADHD Autism Diabetes

add medical news today to your facebook

medical news gadget

Add to Google


developers
website gadget code
website news code
medical news rss feed links


customize your homepage


These are the most read articles from this news category for the last 6 months:
Top Article Star
HIV/AIDS Pandemic Started 100 Years Ago
02 Oct 2008
An international team of scientists investigating African human tissue samples preserved for nearly 50 years have suggested that the HIV/AIDS pandemic started around 100 years ago, between 1884 and 1924, at the same time...


Weekend Athletes - Gearing Up for Outdoor Sports
Weekend Athletes - Gearing Up for Outdoor Sports

It's important for weekend athletes to make sure they prepare themselves for summer sports. Starting an exercise routine to get them ready for the game is a good idea. Weekend Athletes should also make sure they warm up before the game. You may also want to check the condition of your sneakers before you head out.

more videos are available in our health videos section.