inflammation & autoimmunity

allergies

ORMDL3

Airway Alterations & Allergies (ORMDL3)

Written by Shany Lahan, MS (Neuroscience) on October 23rd, 2020

The ORMDL3 gene may induce structural and functional airway changes that have been associated with asthma and other allergic diseases. Read more to learn how a variant of this gene may promote allergies.

Summary

ORMDL3 codes for ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3, a protein that can induce structural and functional changes to the airway. A variant of ORMDL3 may play a role in asthma and other allergic diseases by increasing production of ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3. Lifestyle modifications may counteract the effects of this variant by modulating the production of sphingolipids or ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3.

ORMDL3 and Allergies

The ORMDL3 gene codes for ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3. This protein is predominantly found in cells that line the airway [R].

In accordance with its name, ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3 has been shown to block the actions of an enzyme required for sphingolipid production [R, R].

Sphingolipids are compounds that help to form the outer layers of cell surfaces, thus providing structural support to cells. The outer cell layer also acts as a barrier to prevent substances from passing into or out of these cells [R].

ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3 can also mediate the activation of a protein, as well as activation of immune system components, that have been linked to structural and functional airway changes [R, R].

These changes include: increasing the amount of airway muscle, inducing thickening and scarring below airway muscle, and augmenting the production of mucus that lines the airway. Collectively, structural and functional airway changes may elevate airway reactivity to allergens (allergy-causing substances) [R].

The actions of ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3 have been shown to stimulate the release of a type of antibody called IgE. The release of IgE antibodies is an early step in the progression of an allergic reaction [R].

A variant of ORMDL3 has been associated with asthma and other allergic diseases. This variant may increase production of ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3, which may make the airway more susceptible to allergens by inducing changes to the cells, muscles, and mucus that line the airway [R].

Your ORMDL3 Results for Allergies

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs9303280

Primary SNP:

ORMDL3 rs9303280

‘C’ = Increased risk of allergies
‘T’ = Not associated with allergies

Recommendations

Lifestyle

Sun Exposure (Vitamin D)

Exposure to sunlight is the best way to increase levels of vitamin D in the blood. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with asthma and allergies in children [R, R].

Vitamin D supplements taken alongside an antihistamine improved symptoms of hay fever in people with vitamin D deficiency, in comparison to the antihistamine alone. However, this improvement was not significant until 8 weeks of supplementation, suggesting that symptom improvement might not occur until vitamin D has been adequately replenished in the body [R].

Vitamin D supplementation in pregnant women was suggested to decrease the risk of asthma in their children, by increasing sphingolipid production. However, this effect may be limited to certain ORMDL3 variants [R].

The sun is the best source of vitamin D. Vitamin D may improve allergies by increasing production of sphingolipids.

Avoid Air Pollution

Research has linked exposure to air pollution with higher odds of allergic conditions, especially asthma and hay fever [R, R, R].

Air pollution, including second-hand smoke, was found to increase production of ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3 and further increase the risk of asthma in individuals carrying certain risk variants of ORMDL3 [R, R, R].

Those carrying ORMDL3 risk variants may choose to spend more time in nature and non-industrialized environments, in order to prevent and relieve allergies.

Avoiding air pollution may improve allergies by preventing the excess production of ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3.

Shany Lahan

MS (Neuroscience)

Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.

Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer’s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing – as well as help them understand the science behind it all.

Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other official medical body. This information is presented for educational purposes only, and may not be used to diagnose or treat any illness or disease.

Also keep in mind that the “Risk Score” presented in this post is based only on a select number of SNPs, and therefore only represents a small portion of your total risk as an individual. Furthermore, these analyses are based primarily on associational studies, which do not necessarily imply causation. Finally, many other (non-genetic) factors can also play a significant role in the development of a disease or health condition — therefore, carrying any of the risk-associated genotypes discussed in this post does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing a major health condition.

Always consult your doctor before acting on any information or recommendations discussed in this post — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have been officially diagnosed with a medical condition.

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Content

Summary ORMDL3 and Allergies Your ORMDL3 Results for Allergies

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