Abstract
The genetics of Meniere's disease (MD), including the KCNE genes, COCH gene, and HLA genes, was reviewed and discussed. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the KCNE genes might determine the susceptibility to MD. Variations in the HLA genes may also be related to the development of MD. To identify more genes that might possibly be closely related to the development of MD, gene profiling of human endolymphatic sac (ES) harvested from MD patients and vestibular schwannoma (VN) patients was performed using a DNA micro-array technique. Many up- and downregulated genes in the ES harvested from the MD patients were identified. The genes were classified into several subgroups according to their physiological functions. Some potassium channel genes, including Kir4.1, and several stress-related genes were significantly downregulated in the ES harvested from the MD patients. In future, genetic studies of MD will make it possible to determine more genes whose mutations/variations could lead to the development of MD, which would make possible the invention of a DNA-Chip for the diagnosis of MD. Such a DNA-Chip might be applied clinically to prevent MD, predict individual patients' prognosis and apply the most suitable treatment for individual patients.
