Causes And Risk Factors Of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Genetic Factors

Some individuals have a gene that gives them a predisposition to Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Similarly, other inflammatory diseases can also easily travel through genes. While genetic causative factors are fairly uncommon for hypersensitivity pneumonitis, it does happen as a result of the major histocompatibility complex or MHC gene. There are many kinds of molecules the MHC genes is responsible for encrypting into genetic material, and most of these molecules are implicated in the processing and presentation of antigens. This particular function is a component of the bodies adaptive immune responses and the communication it has with the natural killer cells or NK cells. Also, if the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene contains polymorphisms included in the promoter area, this can also cause a higher risk of developing numerous inflammatory type diseases. Studies have found some cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis are due to similar patterns that occur in the alleles of the TNF and MHC genes inherited from biological family members.

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