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New Research - May 2010
Polymorphisms in angiotensinogen may affect the severity of anaphylactic events
Summary
The investigators of this report wished to determine whether abnormalities in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) were related to the severity of anaphylactic events to hymenoptera venom. They measured angiotensinogen AGT p.M235T gene polymorphisms and angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphisms in patients who had experienced insect venom-induced anaphylaxis.
They studied a total of 170 patients and 113 controls. They found that the frequency of AGT MM M235T variant was significantly higher in patients with insect venom allergy than in controls. The presence of the MM M235T genotype significantly increased the risk of severe anaphylactic reactions. There was no difference in the prevalence of angiotensin converting enzyme polymorphisms or angiotensin I levels between controls and patients.
They concluded that "The AGT M235T MM variant may be responsible for severe anaphylactic reactions to insect venom allergens in some patients."
Comment: This demonstration confirms previous studies which have implicated that disruption of the renin-angiotensin system can predispose to severe anaphylactic reactions to venom. However, this is the first demonstration of a genetic polymorphism in this system being responsible.
Reference
Niedoszytko M, et al. The angiotensinogen AGT p.M235T gene polymorphism may be responsible for the development of severe anaphylactic reactions to insect venom allergies. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology 2010 (DOI: 10.1159/000312634); Volume 153 (2); pages 166-172.
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