We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Immunology: Hepatitis A virus link to atopic disease.
- Authors
Mclntire, Jennifer J.; Umetsu, Sarah E.; Macaubas, Claudia; Hoyte, Elizabeth G.; Cinnioglu, Cengiz; Cavalli-Sforza, Luigi L.; Barsh, Gregory S.; Halimayer, Joachim F.; Underhill, Peter A.; Risch, Neil J.; Freeinan, Gordon J.; DeKruyff, Roseinarie H.; Umetsu, Dale T.
- Abstract
Atopic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, are caused by both environmental and genetic factors. Here we show that infection by hepatitis A virus (HAV) may protect individuals from atopy if they carry a particular variant of the gene that encodes TIM-1 (also known as HAVcr-1) - the cell-surface receptor used by HAV to infect human cells. Exposure to HAV is associated with poor hygiene, large family size and attendance at day-care centres, all factors that are also inversely associated with atopy. Our discovery indicates that interaction between HAV and TIM-1 genotype may contribute to the aetiology of atopic diseases, and provides a mechanism to account for the hygiene hypothesis.
- Subjects
HEPATITIS A virus; ALLERGIES; IMMUNOLOGY; NUCLEIC acids; IMMUNOLOGIC diseases; GENETICS
- Publication
Nature, 2003, Vol 425, Issue 6958, p576
- ISSN
0028-0836
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/425576a