Protocadherin-1 polymorphisms are associated with eczema in two Dutch birth cohorts

Background: Eczema and asthma share a common genetic background and show linkage to chromosome 5q31-33. Protocadherin-1 (PCDH1) is located in this region and was identified as a susceptibility gene for bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR), a hallmark of asthma. PCDH1 encodes an adhesion molecule, expressed in airway and skin epithelium. We determined whether PCDH1 polymorphisms, previously associated with asthma or BHR, also associated with questionnaire and UK Working Party (UKWP) defined eczema. Methods: Four PCDH1 polymorphisms were genotyped in two Dutch birth cohorts, PIAMA (n = 967) and... Mehr ...