inflammation & autoimmunity

allergies

OVOL1

A Genetic Link Between the Skin Barrier & Allergic Diseases (OVOL1)

Written by Shany Lahan, MS (Neuroscience) on October 21st, 2020

The OVOL1 gene is involved in the formation of the outermost skin layer. How might variants of OVOL1 affect allergy progression? Read more to find out.

Summary

OVOL1 codes for ovo-like transcriptional repressor 1, a protein that regulates the production of a protein called filaggrin. Filaggrin is involved in the formation of the outermost skin layer. Variants of OVOL1 may play a role in allergies by influencing the production of filaggrin. Supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by increasing production of filaggrin.

OVOL1 and Allergies

The OVOL1 gene codes for ovo-like transcriptional repressor 1. Ovo-like transcriptional repressor 1 is able to increase the production of a protein called filament aggregating protein (filaggrin) [R, R].

Filaggrin helps provide structure to the outermost layer of the skin by binding together a type of fibrous protein called keratin [R].

In this manner, filaggrin is able to maintain a skin barrier that can protect against allergens (allergy-causing substances), bacteria, and viruses [R, R].

Filaggrin breakdown products have also been shown to act as natural moisturizing factors, helping the skin to remain hydrated [R].

Not surprisingly, individuals with low amounts of filaggrin often have dry and flaky skin. This may be partly due to their inability to form a tough skin barrier, and partly due to the inability of their skin to retain moisture [R].

Variants of OVOL1 have been associated with allergic diseases, such as eczema, asthma, and hay fever. These variants may decrease the production of ovo-like transcriptional repressor 1, which in turn would decrease production of filaggrin [R, R].

Lack of filaggrin would compromise the structure of the outermost skin layer, allowing allergens to enter the skin and interact with components of the immune system. This would ultimately give rise to allergic reactions [R].

Your OVOL1 Results for Allergies

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs479844
rs10791824

Primary SNP:

OVOL1 rs479844

‘G’ = Increased risk of allergies
‘A’ = Not associated with allergies

Other Important SNPs:

OVOL1 rs10791824

‘G’ = Increased risk of allergies
‘A’ = Not associated with allergies

Recommendations

Supplements

Probiotics

Probiotics are live strains of beneficial bacteria.

Probiotics such as Lactobacillus (L.) paracasei, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. casei, L. gasseri, Bifidobacterium (B.) longum, and B. animalis improved hay fever in multiple trials. Moreover, L. rhamnosus, L. johnsonii, and Clostridium (C.) butyricum enhanced the effectiveness of immune system therapy (immunotherapy) for pollen and dust mite allergies [R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R].

In people with asthma, L. salivarius and B. breve reduced the production of inflammatory proteins, while C. butyricum combined with immunotherapy helped improve asthma symptoms [R, R].

Preliminary research in adults and children with an allergy to cow milk suggests that the potential for L. rhamnosus to modulate immune system activity may help prevent allergic reactions. This probiotic also enhanced the effectiveness of immunotherapy for peanut allergy [R, R, R].

Other probiotics may help by fermenting the food proteins that cause allergies. For instance, L. helveticus, L. delbrueckii, and L. fermentum successfully reduced the allergenic potential of cow milk and propolis in several studies [R, R, R, R].

In people with eczema, supplementation with different probiotic strains, such as L. rhamnosus, L.reuteri, L. plantarum, L. paracasei, L. fermentum, and L. sakei, slightly improved skin inflammation [R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R].

Bifidobacterium species, such as B. animalis, B. breve, and B. longum, have been mainly tested in combination with Lactobacillus strains. These studies produced mixed results, possibly due to differences in the strains used [R, R, R, R, R, R].

Supplementation (in mothers before birth, or in their children after birth) with combinations of some of these Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains in families with a history of allergies significantly lowered the incidence of eczema in children [R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R].

Treatment of a reconstructed human skin cell model with L. rhamnosus significantly increased the production of filaggrin. Similarly, L. plantarum supplements were found to increase filaggrin production in rat and mouse models of eczema [R, R].

Probiotic supplements may improve allergic diseases by increasing production of filaggrin.

Borage Oil

Borage oil contains high levels of omega-6 fatty acids (such as gamma linolenic acid) that are vital to the proper structure and function of the skin barrier [R].

In children with eczema, wearing undershirts coated with borage oil for 2 weeks improved skin redness. They also experienced relief from itch [R].

Oral borage oil supplements increased skin hydration and reduced skin roughness and scaling in a study of healthy women with sensitive and dry skin. However, most studies of borage oil supplements found no improvements in eczema [R, R, R, R, R, R, R].

Filaggrin was observed to increase in amount in guinea pigs fed borage oil [R].

Borage oil applied to the skin may improve eczema by increasing production of filaggrin.

Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil, applied daily for eight weeks, was an effective treatment for mild to moderate eczema in a clinical trial [R].

Coconut oil has also been reported to moisturize the skin and prevent infections, which may further help improve eczema [R, R].

Virgin coconut oil increased the amount of filaggrin and decreased the amount of inflammatory proteins found in human cells. From these observations, the authors of the study suggested that virgin coconut oil may enhance the integrity of the skin barrier [R].

Coconut oil applied to the skin may improve eczema by increasing production of filaggrin.

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.

More inflammation & autoimmunity blogs

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Content

Summary OVOL1 and Allergies Your OVOL1 Results for Allergies

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