Genetic predisposition to atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with an increasing prevalence in industrialized countries. AD belongs to the group of allergic disorders that includes food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. A significant proportion of children with the disease continue with problems into adult life. A multifactorial background for AD has been suggested, with genetic as well as environmental factors influencing disease development. Recent breakthroughs in genetic methodology have greatly augmented our understanding of the contribution of genetics to susceptibility to AD. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), even those not strongly associated with AD, should be considered potentially important. Generally the risk for developing a disease in individuals with at each "at risk" genotype was small, but a small increase in risk translates to a large number of excess the disease cases in the population. Therefore, polymorphisms, even those not strongly associated with AD, should be considered as a potentially important public health issue. Several candidate SNPs found in this review paper still remain to be determined regarding their functions. Future advances will come from identification of the SNPs causing this disease. After the comprehensive characterization of these SNPs by further studies, we will identify the precise molecular mechanisms involved in AD. Consortia and international collaborative studies, which may maximize study efficacy and overcome the limitations of individual studies, are needed to help further illuminate the complex landscape of AD risk and genetic variations.