inflammation & autoimmunity

allergies

STAT6

What Happens When Antiparasitic Immunity Goes Wrong? (STAT6)

Written by Jasmine Foster, BSc, BEd on October 21st, 2020

STAT6 stimulates the immune response to parasitic infection, but it may cause allergies if left unregulated. Are you genetically vulnerable? Find out here.

Summary

STAT6 encodes signal transducer and activator of transcription 6. Variants of STAT6 may play a role in allergies by increasing IgE production and promoting allergic sensitization. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by preventing STAT6 activation.

STAT6 and Allergies

The STAT6 gene codes for one member of a family of proteins called signal transducer and activator of transcription, or just “STAT” for short. STAT proteins are activated by other proteins (such as JAK), which causes them to bind to DNA to turn certain genes “on” or “off” [R].

STAT6 is activated by the IL-4 and IL-1 3 cytokines and goes on to stimulate an immune response. Under normal, healthy circumstances, STAT6 helps the immune system fight off parasitic infection. However, when it is activated in the absence of infection, STAT6 may trigger allergic disorders like asthma, food allergies, and atopic dermatitis [R].

STAT6 can easily cause allergies because it increases the production of IgE, a type of antibody that typically attacks parasites but can also become reactive to otherwise harmless allergens like pollen and peanuts [R].

Unsurprisingly, at least five variants in the STAT6 gene have been associated with allergic disease. These variants probably lead to increased STAT6 activity, possibly triggering the uncontrolled immune response of an allergic reaction [R, R, R].

The production of IgE against harmless allergens is called allergic sensitization. Some STAT6 variants have specifically been linked to increased rates of allergic sensitization, meaning that people with these variants are more likely to suffer from allergies of all kinds [R].

STAT6 encodes a gene that increases IgE antibody production when stimulated by IL-4 and IL-13. Higher STAT6 activity may increase susceptibility to allergies.

Your STAT6 Results for Allergies

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs324011
rs1059513
rs3024971
rs3001426
rs167769

STAT6 rs324011

‘C’ = Not associated with allergic disease
‘T’ = Associated with allergic disease
The ‘T’ allele increases STAT6 activity, which may lead to increased IgE production and allergic sensitization [R].

STAT6 rs1059513

‘C’ = Not associated with allergic disease
‘T’ = Associated with allergic disease
The ‘T’ allele may lead to increased IgE production and higher rates of allergic sensitization [R].

STAT6 rs3024971

‘T’ = Not associated with allergic disease
‘G’ = Possibly protective again allergic disease
The ‘G’ allele may decrease IgE production [R].

STAT6 rs3001426

‘T’ = Not associated with allergic disease
‘C’ = Associated with allergic disease
The ‘C’ allele may increase IgE production [R].

STAT6 rs167769

‘C’ = Not associated with allergic disease
‘T’ = Associated with allergic disease
The ‘T’ allele significantly increases STAT6 activity, which may lead to increased IgE production and allergic sensitization [R].

Recommendations

Acupuncture

In a mouse study, acupuncture reduced STAT6 activity and reduced inflammation in allergic rhinitis, or hay fever [R].

Several clinical trials suggest that acupuncture may be a safe and valid way to improve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis [R, R, R, R].

Acupuncture may improve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis by blocking STAT6.

Vitamin E

In human cells, vitamin E blocks IL-13 signalling. Since IL-13 stimulates STAT6, this may be a good way to prevent STAT6 activation [R].

Several studies have associated high intake of vitamin E with a reduced incidence of asthma, while a diet poor in this vitamin increases the risk. Similarly, some people with asthma have lower levels of this vitamin in the blood and lungs [R, R, R, R, R].

Food sources of vitamin E include wheat germ, nuts, sunflower and sesame seeds, and their respective plant oils [R].

Vitamin E may block STAT6 by preventing its activation through IL-13. Dietary intake of vitamin E is also closely linked to rates of allergic disease.

Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol, a blend of active compounds from pine bark, improved airway function in mice by blocking the JAK/STAT6 pathway [R].

Pycnogenol improved eye and nose symptoms in people with allergy to birch pollen, especially when taken 7-8 weeks before allergy season [R, R].

Pycnogenol also reduced blood inflammatory markers (leukotrienes) and the use of inhalers in adults and children with asthma [R, R, R].

Pycnogenol may prevent or improve allergic disorders by blocking STAT6.

Jasmine Foster

BSc, BEd

Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.

Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.

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

How to Combat Histamine Intolerance Through Genetics (DAO) Are You Genetically Vulnerable to High Brain Histamine, Migraines, or ADHD? (HNMT) How to Tell if You’re Lectin Sensitive Using Your Genetic Data (CNR1) Are You Sensitive to Lectins? (MTHFR) Fight Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Brain Fog (PARP1) Is This Gene Causing Your Autoimmune Problems? (PTPN22) Are You Genetically Susceptible to Post-Treatment Lyme? (ABCB1) A Key Genetic Player in Autoimmunity (HLA-B) Is This Inflammation Gene Reducing Your Intelligence? (TNFSF9) Can You Manage Allergies and Asthma by Balancing Methylation? (MTHFR)

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