Association between atopic asthma and a coding variant of Fc epsilon RI beta in a Japanese population [published erratum appears in Hum Mol Genet 1996 Dec;5(12):2068]

A genetic association study was performed with coding variants of Fcepsilon RI beta in relation to atopic and non-atopic asthma in a Japanesepopulation (n = 400). A coding variant of Gly237Glu in exon 7 of Fc epsilonRI beta gene showed association with atopic asthma (OR = 3.00, chi 2 =5.10, p < 0.03), but not with non-atopic asthma; this was seenparticularly in childhood asthma (OR = 3.92, chi 2 = 8.66, p < 0.005).This variant is also associated with very high total serum IgE levels (>mean + 3 SD, OR = 8.56, chi 2 = 46.2, p < 0.0001), but not any allergenspecific IgE. However, Leu181lle, another variant of Fc epsilon RI betarelated to atopy in British and Australian populations, was not found inthis Japanese population. These results suggest that variants of Fc epsilonRI beta may be an important genetic cause of the atopic asthma.