The inheritance of immunoglobulin E: Genetic linkage analysis

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Abstract
Linkage analyses between 21 genetic markers including HLA-A, B, and the postulated locus for determining total serum IgE levels were done to try to clarify the inheritance of total IgE levels and to map the locus. A total of 316 individuals from five Mormon kindreds were studied, and data from an additional 204 Amish individuals from 11 families were analyzed for possible HLA linkage. Segregation analyses of both data sets did not give clear definition of the mode of inheritance of total IgE levels, but purely environmental models were rejected. Linkage analyses gave significant evidence against HLA linkage with the codominant, recessive, or dominant model of inheritance for total IgE levels. No significant evidence for linkage with any of the genetic markers was obtained. Since total serum IgE levels are correlated with allergies, understanding the genetics of total IgE levels is important to understanding the genetics of allergic disease in man.