Orosomucoid-like protein 3, rhinovirus and asthma.

The genetic variants of orosomucoid-like protein 3 ( ORMDL3 ) gene are associated with highly significant increases in the number of human rhinovirus (HRV)-induced wheezing episodes in children. Recent investigations have been focused on the mechanisms of ORMDL3 in rhinovirus infection for asthma and asthma exacerbations. ORMDL3 not only regulates major human rhinovirus receptor intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression, but also plays pivotal roles in viral infection through metabolisms of ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, ER-Golgi interface and glycolysis. Research on the roles of ORMDL3 in HRV infection will lead us to identify new biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets in childhood asthma and viral induced asthma exacerbations.