Molecular genetic mechanisms of chronic urticaria.

Abstract

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common allergic skin disease that requires long-term

pharmacological treatment. Some patients with severe CU suffer a poor quality of

life. Although the pathogenic mechanisms of CU are not clearly understood,

several groups have suggested that genetic mechanisms are involved in various CU

cohorts. To further understand the molecular genetic mechanisms of CU, we

summarize recent genetic data in this review. Although a few HLA alleles were

suggested to be candidate markers in different ethnic groups, further replication

studies that apply the recent classification are needed. Genetic polymorphisms in

histamine-related genes, including FcepsilonRI and HNMT, were suggested to be

involved in mast cell activation and histamine metabolism. Several genetic

polymorphisms of leukotriene-related genes, such as ALOX5, LTC4S, and the PGE2

receptor gene PTGER4, were suggested to be involved in leukotriene

overproduction, a pathogenic mechanism. Further investigations using candidate

gene approaches and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) will provide new

insights into the molecular genetic mechanisms of CU, which will provide new

marker genes for differentiation of CU phenotypes and identification of potential

therapeutic targets.