Researchers have carried out a study into the genetic mechanisms involved in hereditary angioedema acute attacks. They found that two genes, called uPAR and ADM, had a particularly strong influence. The full article can be found here, at Angioedema News.
Angioedema is the term used for swelling under the skin. Some people experience reoccurring angioedema that, in a small minority of cases, can become very serious. The swelling commonly affects the hands, feet, mouth, genitals, and eye area, and may be accompanied by hives. People who experience more serious angioedema might also feel dizzy, have stomach pain, and issues breathing. Angioedema can be caused by several factors, including reactions to medicines or other allergies, genetic factors, or for unknown reasons. The study discussed here focuses on genetic, or hereditary, angioedema.
The research, which is published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, identified two important genes that are involved in acute angioedema attacks. The researchers used blood samples to compare the genetic profiles of people with angioedema while they were having acute attacks, and while they were in remission, which was defined as free from attacks for one month or more. A group of healthy individuals were also genetically profiled for comparison.
