1
|
Fiter RJ, Murphy LJ, Gong MN, Cleven KL. The impact of air pollution on asthma: clinical outcomes, current epidemiology, and health disparities. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:1237-1247. [PMID: 38247719 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2024.2307545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Air pollution has been shown to have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality of respiratory illnesses including asthma. AREAS COVERED Outdoor air pollution consists of a mixture of individual pollutants including vehicle traffic and industrial pollution. Studies have implicated an array of individual components of air pollution, with PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and ozone being the most classically described, and newer literature implicating other pollutants such as black carbon and volatile organic compounds. Epidemiological and cohort studies have described incidence and prevalence of pollution-related asthma and investigated both acute and chronic air pollution exposure as they relate to asthma outcomes. There is an increasing body of literature tying disparities in pollution exposure to clinical outcomes. In this narrative review, we assessed the published research investigating the association of pollution with asthma outcomes, focusing on the adult population and health care disparities. EXPERT OPINION Pollution has multiple deleterious effects on respiratory health but there is a lack of data on individualized pollution monitoring, making it difficult to establish a temporal relationship between exposure and symptoms, thereby limiting our understanding of safe exposure levels. Future research should focus on more personalized monitoring and treatment plans for mitigating exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Fiter
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Lila J Murphy
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Michelle N Gong
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Krystal L Cleven
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pang Y, Guo Y, Li K, Ren M, Jia X, Li Z, Wang B, Yan L, Li Z. Potential effect of germanium exposure on the risk of influenza-like illness in housewives in Shanxi Province, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 682:208-212. [PMID: 31121347 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have examined the relationship between exposure to germanium (Ge) and the risk of influenza-like illness (ILI). Therefore, we investigated the association of Ge exposure and its interaction with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to Phase II metabolism on ILI risk among housewives in Shanxi Province, northern China. This cross-sectional study enrolled 373 housewives. Information on the housewives' characteristics and the frequency of ILI was collected by questionnaire. We analyzed the Ge concentrations in hair samples taken from near the scalp at the back of the head. Blood samples were used to identify SNPs related to Phase II metabolism. The results suggested that the hair Ge concentration was associated with ILI risk with an adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of 2.59 (1.61-4.19). A significant dose-response relationship was observed without or with adjusting for confounders. We did not observe any interaction effect between the hair Ge concentration and the SNPs on ILI risk. We found that high dietary consumption of meat and fried foods was positively correlated with the hair Ge concentration. Therefore, chronic Ge exposure may be a risk factor for an increased frequency of ILI in housewives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Pang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Yunhe Guo
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Kexin Li
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Mengyuan Ren
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Xiaoqian Jia
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Zewu Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Bin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
| | - Lailai Yan
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang Q, Xu X, Cong X, Zeng Z, Xu L, Huo X. Interactions between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and epoxide hydrolase 1 play roles in asthma. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2019; 41:191-210. [PMID: 30293161 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-018-0201-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Asthma, as one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adults, is a consequence of complex gene-environment interactions. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as a group of widespread environmental organic pollutants, are involved in the development, triggering and pathologic changes of asthma. Various previous studies reported the critical roles of PAHs in immune changes, oxidative stress and environment-gene interactions of asthma. EPHX1 (the gene of epoxide hydrolase 1, an enzyme mediating human PAH metabolism) had a possible association with asthma by influencing PAH metabolism. This review summarized that (1) the roles of PAHs in asthma-work as risk factors; (2) the possible mechanisms involved in PAH-related asthma-through immunologic and oxidative stress changes; (3) the interactions between PAHs and EPHX1 involved in asthma-enzymatic activity of epoxide hydrolase 1, which affected by EPHX1 genotypes/SNPs/diplotypes, could influence human PAH metabolism and people's vulnerability to PAH exposure. This review provided a better understanding of the above interactions and underlying mechanisms for asthma which help to raise public's concern on PAH control and develop strategies for individual asthma primary prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qihua Wang
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xijin Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaowei Cong
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhijun Zeng
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Long Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xia Huo
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Causal relationships between adiposity and childhood asthma: bi-directional Mendelian Randomization analysis. Int J Obes (Lond) 2018; 43:73-81. [PMID: 30026589 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-018-0160-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Obesity and asthma are common chronic diseases and have been reported to be mutually causative. We investigated the causal direction of the relationship between adiposity and asthma using genetic markers as instrumental variables (IVs) in bi-directional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. SUBJECTS/METHODS We used data from the Taiwan Children Health Study with 24 body mass index (BMI)-single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, combined into a weighted allelic score) and 16 asthma-SNPs (combined into two weighted allelic scores, separately for asthma inflammatory and antioxidative genes) to yield genetic IVs for adiposity and asthma, respectively. RESULTS The weighted allele score for BMI was strongly associated with adiposity (p = 2 × 10-16) and active asthma (p = 0.03). The two-stage least square regression risk ratio (RR) for the effect of BMI on asthma was 1.04 (95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.07, p = 0.03). Although the weighted asthma genetic scores were significantly associated with asthma (p = 8.4 × 10-3), no association was seen for genetically instrumented asthma with BMI using MR. Central obesity was the most accurate predictor of asthma. Adiposity showed higher causal effects on asthma in boys and children with non-atopic asthma. Sensitivity analysis for MR revealed no directional genetic pleiotropy effects. The causal effect RRs of BMI on asthma were 1.04, 1.08, and 1.03 for inverse-variance weighted, MR-Egger regression (slope), and weighted median methods, respectively, all in accordance with the MR estimates. CONCLUSIONS High adiposity may lead to asthma, whereas the effects of asthma on adiposity accumulation are likely to be small.
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Work-related asthma is a common disorder among adult asthma patients, and in the case of occupational asthma, it is induced by workplace exposures. RECENT FINDINGS Occupational asthma provides an excellent model and benchmark for identifying and testing different allergy or inflammatory biomarkers associated with its inception or progression. Moreover, specific inhalation challenge with the incriminated agent represents an experimental setting to identify and validate potential systemic or local biomarkers. Some biomarkers are mainly blood-borne, while local airway biomarkers are derived from inflammatory or resident cells. Genetic and gene-environment interaction studies also provide an excellent framework to identify relevant profiles associated with the risk of developing these work-related conditions. Despite significant efforts to identify clinically relevant inflammatory and genomic markers for occupational asthma, apart from the documented utility of airway inflammatory biomarkers, it remains elusive to define specific markers or signatures clearly associated with different endpoints or outcomes in occupational asthma.
Collapse
|
6
|
Tsai CH, Su MW, Lee YL. Interactions between traffic air pollution and glutathione S-transferase genes on childhood asthma. World J Respirol 2016; 6:33-41. [DOI: 10.5320/wjr.v6.i1.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To evaluate the role of glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) genetic polymorphisms potentially modifying the association between NO2 and asthma/wheeze in Taiwanese children.
METHODS: We investigated 3714 schoolchildren in Taiwan Children Health Study from 14 communities. Children’s information was measured from questionnaire by parents. The traffic air pollutant was available from Environmental Protection Administration monitoring stations.
RESULTS: A two-stage hierarchical model and a multiple logistic regression model were fitted to estimate the effects of NO2 exposures and GSTs polymorphisms on the prevalence of asthma and wheeze. Among children with GSTP1 Ile/Val or Val/Val genotypes, those residing in high-NO2 communities had significantly increased risks of asthma (OR = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.15-2.70), late-onset asthma (OR = 2.59, 95%CI: 1.24-5.41), active asthma (OR = 1.93, 95%CI: 1.05-3.57), asthma under medication (OR = 2.95, 95%CI: 1.37-6.32) and wheeze (OR = 1.54, 95%CI: 1.09-2.18) when compared with children in low-NO2 communities. Significant interactions were noted between ambient NO2 and GSTP1 on asthma, late-onset asthma, asthma under medication and wheeze (P for interaction < 0.05). However, we did not find any association with polymorphisms in GSTM1 and GSTT1.
CONCLUSION: Children under high traffic air pollution exposure are more susceptible to asthma, especially among those with GSTP1 Val allele.
Collapse
|
7
|
Lee YL, Yen JJY, Hsu LC, Kuo NW, Su MW, Yang MF, Hsiao YP, Wang IJ, Liu FT. Association of STAT6 genetic variants with childhood atopic dermatitis in Taiwanese population. J Dermatol Sci 2015; 79:222-8. [PMID: 26048407 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Revised: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the single most common allergic disease in children. STAT6 has been noted as a hub molecule in IL-4 mediated response and AD pathogenesis. However, the association between STAT6 genetic variants and childhood AD has never been thoroughly examined. OBJECTIVE We investigate the association between STAT6 genetic variants and childhood AD risk in Taiwanese population. METHODS We used data from the Han Chinese in Beijing genome panel of International HapMap Project and the Taiwan Children Health Study cohort to investigate the association of STAT6 genetic variants and childhood AD risks. Four tagged SNPs were selected from HapMap database and rs324011 was most significantly associated with childhood AD. Subsequently, deep sequencing around rs324011 and unconditional/conditional logistic models were applied. RESULTS rs324011 showed statistical significance for the occurrence of childhood AD (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.01-1.51) and rs167769 showed borderline statistical significance (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.99-1.49). Likelihood ratio tests revealed that haplotypes (rs167769/rs324011) were associated with childhood AD (global p=0.0018). T alleles of two STAT6 intron2 SNPs, rs324011 and rs167769, increased STAT6 promoter activity significantly in luciferase reporter assay. CONCLUSION T allele of rs324011 in STAT6 would increase the risk of AD occurrence in children. Haplotypes of rs324011/rs167769 were also significantly associated with childhood AD in Taiwanese population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yungling Leo Lee
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | | | - Li-Chung Hsu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nai-Wei Kuo
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Wei Su
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Fong Yang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ping Hsiao
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Dermatology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - I-Jen Wang
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Health Risk Management, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Tong Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li YF, Lin CC, Tai CK. Interaction of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) polymorphisms and environmental tobacco smoke on childhood asthma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 11:6504-16. [PMID: 25003170 PMCID: PMC4078592 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110606504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic disease that is particularly common in children. The association between polymorphisms of the gene encoding intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) and gene-environment interactions with childhood asthma has not been fully investigated. A cross-sectional study was undertaken to investigate these associations among children in Taiwan. The effects of two functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ICAM1, rs5491 (K56M) and rs5498 (K469E), and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were studied. Two hundred and eighteen asthmatic and 877 nonasthmatic children were recruited from elementary schools. It was found that the genetic effect of each SNP was modified by the other SNP and by exposure to ETS. The risk of asthma was higher for children carrying the rs5491 AT or TT genotypes and the rs5498 GG genotype (odds ratio = 1.68, 95% confidence interval 1.09–2.59) than for those with the rs5491 AA and rs5498 AA or AG genotypes (the reference group). The risk for the other two combinations of genotypes did not differ significantly from that of the reference group (p of interaction = 0.0063). The two studied ICAM1 SNPs were associated with childhood asthma among children exposed to ETS, but not among those without ETS exposure (p of interaction = 0.05 and 0.01 for rs5491 and rs5498, respectively). Both ICAM1 and ETS, and interactions between these two factors are likely to be involved in the development of asthma in childhood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Fen Li
- Institute of Biostatistics, China Medical University, 91 Hsieh-Shih Rd., Taichung 404, Taiwan; E-Mail:
| | - Che-Chen Lin
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, 91 Hsieh-Shih Rd., Taichung 404, Taiwan; E-Mail:
| | - Chien-Kuo Tai
- Department of Life Science, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Rd., Min-Hsiung Township, Chia-Yi County 621, Taiwan
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +886-5-272-0411 (ext. 66508); Fax: +886-5-272-2871
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Polosukhin VV, Polosukhin IV, Hoskins A, Han W, Abdolrasulnia R, Blackwell TS, Dworski R. Glutathione S-transferase M1 modulates allergen-induced NF-κB activation in asthmatic airway epithelium. Allergy 2014; 69:1666-72. [PMID: 25118837 DOI: 10.1111/all.12506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) is a phase II enzyme and regulator of inflammatory signaling in airway epithelial cells. We have found upregulation of neutrophilic airway inflammation in atopic asthmatics expressing GSTM1 gene (GSTM1+) compared to GSTM1null asthmatics. We hypothesized that GSTM1 modulates NF-κB activation in bronchial epithelium in atopic asthmatics. We determined regulation of allergen-induced NF-κB activation in bronchial epithelium by GSTM1 in human atopic asthmatics in vivo. METHODS Endobronchial biopsies and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected from 13 GSTM1+ and 12 GSTM1null human atopic asthmatics at baseline and 24 h after segmental allergen challenge. A quantitative analysis of NF-κB activation in airway epithelium was accomplished using a polyclonal antibody against the phosphorylated p65 component of NF-κB. Elastase-positive neutrophils in the bronchial wall were quantified. RESULTS Postallergen neutrophilia in airway subepithelium and epithelial lining fluid was greater in GSTM1+ compared to GSTM1null asthmatics. Airway eosinophilia was similar in GSTM1+ and GSTM1null asthmatics. Allergen-provoked NF-κB induction in bronchial epithelium was significantly greater in GSTM1+ compared to GSTM1null asthmatics. Activation of NF-κB activation in airway epithelial cells correlated with interleukin-8 concentrations and absolute neutrophil numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in GSTM1+ but not GSTM1null asthmatics. CONCLUSIONS Allergen-induced neutrophilic airway inflammation in GSTM1+ asthmatics is associated with NF-κB activation in airway epithelial cells in vivo. These novel data provide a potential mechanism of the genomic link between GSTM1 polymorphism and airway neutrophilia in atopic asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V. V. Polosukhin
- Division of Allergy; Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Department of Medicine; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Nashville TN USA
| | - I. V. Polosukhin
- The Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach; Research Experience for High School Students; Nashville TN USA
| | - A. Hoskins
- Division of Allergy; Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Department of Medicine; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Nashville TN USA
| | - W. Han
- Division of Allergy; Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Department of Medicine; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Nashville TN USA
| | - R. Abdolrasulnia
- Division of Allergy; Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Department of Medicine; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Nashville TN USA
| | - T. S. Blackwell
- Division of Allergy; Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Department of Medicine; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Nashville TN USA
| | - R. Dworski
- Division of Allergy; Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Department of Medicine; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Nashville TN USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Antioxidant defense enzyme genes and asthma susceptibility: gender-specific effects and heterogeneity in gene-gene interactions between pathogenetic variants of the disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:708903. [PMID: 24895604 PMCID: PMC4026955 DOI: 10.1155/2014/708903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2014] [Revised: 04/05/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress resulting from an increased amount of reactive oxygen species and an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The present study tested the hypothesis that genetic susceptibility to allergic and nonallergic variants of asthma is determined by complex interactions between genes encoding antioxidant defense enzymes (ADE). We carried out a comprehensive analysis of the associations between adult asthma and 46 single nucleotide polymorphisms of 34 ADE genes and 12 other candidate genes of asthma in Russian population using set association analysis and multifactor dimensionality reduction approaches. We found for the first time epistatic interactions between ADE genes underlying asthma susceptibility and the genetic heterogeneity between allergic and nonallergic variants of the disease. We identified GSR (glutathione reductase) and PON2 (paraoxonase 2) as novel candidate genes for asthma susceptibility. We observed gender-specific effects of ADE genes on the risk of asthma. The results of the study demonstrate complexity and diversity of interactions between genes involved in oxidative stress underlying susceptibility to allergic and nonallergic asthma.
Collapse
|
11
|
Su MW, Tsai CH, Tung KY, Hwang BF, Liang PH, Chiang BL, Yang YH, Lee YL. GSTP1 is a hub gene for gene-air pollution interactions on childhood asthma. Allergy 2013; 68:1614-7. [PMID: 24117884 DOI: 10.1111/all.12298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that multiple genes and air pollutants are associated with asthma. By identifying the effect of air pollution on the general population, the effects of air pollution on childhood asthma can be better understood. We conducted the Taiwan Children Health Study (TCHS) to investigate the influence of gene-air pollution interactions on childhood asthma. Complete monitoring data for the ambient air pollutants were collected from Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency air monitoring stations. Our results show a significant two-way gene-air pollution interaction between glutathione S-transferase P (GSTP1) and PM10 on the risk of childhood asthma. Interactions between GSTP1 and different types of air pollutants have a higher information gain than other gene-air pollutant combinations. Our study suggests that interaction between GSTP1 and PM10 is the most influential gene-air pollution interaction model on childhood asthma. The different types of air pollution combined with the GSTP1 gene may alter the susceptibility to childhood asthma. It implies that GSTP1 is an important hub gene in the anti-oxidative pathway that buffers the harmful effects of air pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. W. Su
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine; College of Public Health; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - C. H. Tsai
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine; College of Public Health; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - K. Y. Tung
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine; College of Public Health; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - B. F. Hwang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Heath and Graduate Program; College of Public Health; China Medical University; Taichung Taiwan
| | - P. H. Liang
- School of Pharmacy; College of Medicine; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - B. L. Chiang
- Department of Pediatrics; National Taiwan University Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Y. H. Yang
- Department of Pediatrics; National Taiwan University Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Y. L. Lee
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine; College of Public Health; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences; Academia Sinica; Taipei Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tang W, Bentley AR, Kritchevsky SB, Harris TB, Newman AB, Bauer DC, Meibohm B, Cassano PA. Genetic variation in antioxidant enzymes, cigarette smoking, and longitudinal change in lung function. Free Radic Biol Med 2013; 63:304-12. [PMID: 23688726 PMCID: PMC4060265 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2013.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Revised: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Antioxidant enzymes play an important role in the defense against oxidative stress in the lung and in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Sequence variation in genes encoding antioxidant enzymes may alter susceptibility to COPD by affecting longitudinal change in lung function in adults. We genotyped 384 sequence variants in 56 candidate genes in 1281 African American and 1794 European American elderly adults in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study. Single-marker associations and gene-by-smoking interactions with rate of change in FEV₁ and FEV₁/FVC were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models, stratified by race/ethnicity. In European Americans, rs17883901 in GCLC was statistically significantly associated with rate of change in FEV₁/FVC; the recessive genotype (TT) was associated with a 0.9% per year steeper decline (P = 4.50 × 10(-5)). Statistically significant gene-by-smoking interactions were observed for variants in two genes in European Americans: the minor allele of rs2297765 in mGST3 attenuated the accelerated decline in FEV₁/FVC in smokers by 0.45% per year (P = 1.13 × 10(-4)); for participants with greater baseline smoking pack-years, the minor allele of rs2073192 in IDH3B was associated with an accelerated decline in FEV₁/FVC (P = 2.10 × 10(-4)). For both genes, nominally significant interactions (P < 0.01) were observed at the gene level in African Americans (P = 0.007 and 4.60 × 10(-4), respectively). Nominally significant evidence of association was observed for variants in SOD3 and GLRX2 in multiple analyses. This study identifies two novel genes associated with longitudinal lung function phenotypes in both African and European Americans and confirms a prior finding for GCLC. These findings suggest novel mechanisms and molecular targets for future research and advance the understanding of genetic determinants of lung function and COPD risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Tang
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ghosh R, Topinka J, Joad JP, Dostal M, Sram RJ, Hertz-Picciotto I. Air pollutants, genes and early childhood acute bronchitis. Mutat Res 2013; 749:80-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2013.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Revised: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
|
14
|
Li F, Li S, Chang H, Nie Y, Zeng L, Zhang X, Wang Y. Quantitative assessment of the association between the GSTM1-null genotype and the risk of childhood asthma. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2013; 17:656-61. [PMID: 23368529 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2012.0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies investigated the association between the glutathione S-transferase M 1 (GSTM1)-null genotype and childhood asthma risk, but there was obvious inconsistence among those studies. The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the strength of association between the GSTM1-null genotype and risk of childhood asthma. METHODS We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Wangfang databases for studies relating the association between the GSTM1-null genotype and risk of childhood asthma. We estimated the pooled odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) to assess the association. RESULTS Nineteen case-control studies with 4,543 childhood asthma cases and 19,394 controls were included into this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of all 19 studies showed that the GSTM1-null genotype was associated with increased risk of childhood asthma (OR=1.17, 95% CI 1.03-1.34, p=0.017). Subgroup analyses by ethnicity suggested that the GSTM1-null genotype was associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma in Caucasians and Africans (for Caucasians, fixed-effects OR=1.16, 95% CI 1.07-1.27, p=0.001; for Africans, fixed-effects OR=1.92, 95% CI 1.35-2.74, p<0.001). The cumulative meta-analyses showed a trend of obvious association between the GSTM1-null genotype and risk of childhood asthma as information accumulated in the analyses of both total studies and Caucasians. No evidence of publication bias was observed. CONCLUSION Meta-analyses of available data suggest a significant association between the GSTM1-null genotype and the risk of childhood asthma, and the GSTM1-null genotype contributes to increased risk of childhood asthma, especially in Caucasians and Africans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Li
- Department of Pediatrics, General Hospital of the Second Artillery of PLA, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hwang BF, Young LH, Tsai CH, Tung KY, Wang PC, Su MW, Lee YL. Fine particle, ozone exposure, and asthma/wheezing: effect modification by glutathione S-transferase P1 polymorphisms. PLoS One 2013; 8:e52715. [PMID: 23357926 PMCID: PMC3554722 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are limited studies on the role of interaction between exposure to ambient air pollution and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) P1 on the risk of asthma/wheezing among children, which provided suggestive, but inconclusive results. Methods To assess the joint effect of air pollutants and GSTP1 on asthma/wheezing, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study of 3,825 children in Taiwan Children Health Study. The studied determinants were three GSTP1 Ile105Val (rs 1695) genotypes (Ile-Ile; Ile-Val and Val-Val) and expoure to ambient air pollutants. We used routine air-pollution monitoring data for ozone (O3) and particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5). The effect estimates were presented as odds ratios (ORs) per interquartile changes for PM2.5 and O3. Findings In a two-stage hierarchical model adjusting for confounding, the risk of asthma was negatively associated with PM2.5 (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.60; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45, 0.82) and O3 (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.60, 0.90) among Ile105 homozygotes, but positively associated with PM2.5 (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.01, 2.27) and O3 (OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.91, 1.57) among those with at least one val105 allele (interaction p value = 0.001 and 0.03, respectively). A similar tendency of effect modification between PM2.5 and O3 and GSTP1 on wheezing was found. Conclusion Children who carried Ile105 variant allele and exposed to PM2.5 and O3 may be less likely to occurrence of asthma/wheezing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Fang Hwang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Heath and Graduate Program, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Hao Young
- Department of Occupational Safety and Heath and Graduate Program, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hui Tsai
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Pubic Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yen Tung
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Pubic Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chuan Wang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Pubic Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Wei Su
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Pubic Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yungling Leo Lee
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Pubic Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hoskins A, Reiss S, Wu P, Chen N, Han W, Do RH, Abdolrasulnia R, Dworski R. Asthmatic airway neutrophilia after allergen challenge is associated with the glutathione S-transferase M1 genotype. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013; 187:34-41. [PMID: 23204253 PMCID: PMC3570644 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201204-0786oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Asthma is a heterogeneous lung disorder characterized by airway inflammation and airway dysfunction, manifesting as hyperresponsiveness and obstruction. Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) is a multifunctional phase II enzyme and regulator of stress-activated cellular signaling relevant to asthma pathobiology. A common homozygous deletion polymorphism of the GSTM1 gene eliminates enzyme activity. OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of GSTM1 on airway inflammation and reactivity in adults with established atopic asthma in vivo. METHODS Nineteen GSTM1 wild-type and eighteen GSTM1-null individuals with mild atopic asthma underwent methacholine and inhaled allergen challenges, and endobronchial allergen provocations through a bronchoscope. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The influx of inflammatory cells, panels of cytokines and chemokines linked to asthmatic inflammation, F(2)-isoprostanes (markers of oxidative stress), and IgE were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at baseline and 24 hours after allergen instillation. Individuals with asthma with the GSTM1 wild-type genotype had greater baseline and allergen-provoked airway neutrophilia and concentrations of myeloperoxidase than GSTM1-null patients. In contrast, the eosinophilic inflammation was unaffected by GSTM1. The allergen-stimulated generation of acute-stress and proneutrophilic mediators, tumor necrosis factor-α, CXCL-8, IL-1β, and IL-6, was also greater in the GSTM1 wild-type patients. Moreover, post-allergen airway concentrations of IgE and neutrophil-generated mediators, matrix metalloproteinase-9, B-cell activating factor, transforming growth factor-β1, and elastase were higher in GSTM1 wild-type individuals with asthma. Total airway IgE correlated with B-cell activating factor concentrations. In contrast, levels of F(2)-isoprostane were comparable in both groups. Finally, GSTM1 wild-type individuals with asthma required lower threshold concentrations of allergen to produce bronchoconstriction. CONCLUSIONS The functional GSTM1 genotype promotes neutrophilic airway inflammation in humans with atopic asthma in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Hoskins
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sara Reiss
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Pingsheng Wu
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Ning Chen
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Wei Han
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Rui-hong Do
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Rasul Abdolrasulnia
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Ryszard Dworski
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Bauer M, Gräbsch C, Schlink U, Klopp N, Illig T, Krämer U, von Berg A, Schaaf B, Borte M, Heinrich J, Herbarth O, Lehmann I, Röder S. Genetic association between obstructive bronchitis and enzymes of oxidative stress. Metabolism 2012; 61:1771-9. [PMID: 22738861 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2012.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obstructive respiratory diseases, mainly the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, are associated with functional polymorphisms of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XMEs). To date, association for obstructive bronchitis has not been described. MATERIAL/METHODS In this study, we investigated the genotypes from 26 functional polymorphisms of 20 XMEs in children (n, 1028) at the age of 6 years from the German prospective birth cohort study (LISAplus) and analyzed the associations between genotypes and obstructive bronchitis. RESULTS For the first time, we found noteworthy gene-disease associations for the functional PON1 M55L and EPHX1 H139R polymorphisms and gene-environment associations for the functional COMT V158M and NQO1 P187S polymorphisms after stratification for maternal active smoking behaviour during pregnancy. The noteworthy associations were substantiated by the biological findings that all the risk genotypes belong to genes involved in oxidative stress and code for proteins with a fast enzymatic activity or concomitantly appear in common estrogene-metabolizing pathway (COMT, NQO1). CONCLUSION The oxidative stress has to be taken into account in mechanism of the obstructive bronchitis in early childhood. The risk genotypes may serve as risk factors for respiratory obstruction rather than for signs of COPD or asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Bauer
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Environmental Immunology, Leipzig, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Howden R, Kleeberger SR. Genetic and Environmental Influences on Gas Exchange. Compr Physiol 2012; 2:2595-614. [DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c110060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
19
|
Yucesoy B, Johnson VJ, Lummus ZL, Kissling GE, Fluharty K, Gautrin D, Malo JL, Cartier A, Boulet LP, Sastre J, Quirce S, Germolec DR, Tarlo SM, Cruz MJ, Munoz X, Luster MI, Bernstein DI. Genetic variants in antioxidant genes are associated with diisocyanate-induced asthma. Toxicol Sci 2012; 129:166-73. [PMID: 22610343 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfs183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Diisocyanates are a common cause of occupational asthma, but risk factors are not well defined. A case-control study was conducted to investigate whether genetic variants of antioxidant defense genes, glutathione S-transferases (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTM3, GSTP1), manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2), and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) are associated with increased susceptibility to diisocyanate-induced asthma (DA). The main study population consisted of 353 Caucasian French-Canadians from among a larger sample of 410 diisocyanate-exposed workers in three groups: workers with specific inhalation challenge (SIC) confirmed DA (DA(+), n = 95); symptomatic diisocyanate workers with a negative SIC (DA(-), n = 116); and asymptomatic exposed workers (AW, n = 142). Genotyping was performed on genomic DNA, using a 5'-nuclease PCR assay. The SOD2 rs4880, GSTP1 rs1695, and EPHX1 rs2740171 variants were significantly associated with DA in both univariate and multivariate analyses. In the first logistic regression model comparing DA(+) and DA(-) groups, SOD2 rs4880, GSTM1 (null), GSTP1 rs762803, and EPHX1 rs2854450 variants were associated with DA (p = 0.004, p = 0.047, p = 0.021, p <0.001, respectively). Genotype combinations GSTT1*GSTP1 rs762803, GSTM1*EPHX1 rs2854450, EPHX1 rs2740168*EPHX1 rs1051741, and GSTP1 rs762803*EPHX1 rs2740168 were also associated with DA in this model (p = 0.027, p = 0.002, p = 0.045, p = 0.044, respectively). The GSTP1 rs1695 and EPHX1 rs1051741 and rs2740171 variants showed an association with DA in the second model comparing DA(+) and AW groups (p = 0.040, p = 0.019, p = 0.002, respectively). The GSTM3 rs110913*EPHX1 rs1051741 genotype combination was also associated with DA under this model (p = 0.042). The results suggest that variations in SOD2, GST, and EPHX1 genes and their interactions contribute to DA susceptibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Berran Yucesoy
- CDC/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Effects Laboratory Division, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pulmonary function and incident bronchitis and asthma in children: a community-based prospective cohort study. PLoS One 2012; 7:e32477. [PMID: 22457716 PMCID: PMC3311633 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies revealed that reduction of airway caliber in infancy might increase the risks for wheezing and asthma. However, the evidence for the predictive effects of pulmonary function on respiratory health in children was still inconsistent. Methods We conducted a population-based prospective cohort study among children in 14 Taiwanese communities. There were 3,160 children completed pulmonary function tests in 2007 and follow-up questionnaire in 2009. Poisson regression models were performed to estimate the effect of pulmonary function on the development of bronchitis and asthma. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, pulmonary function indices consistently showed protective effects on respiratory diseases in children. The incidence rate ratios of bronchitis and asthma were 0.86 (95% CI 0.79–0.95) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.82–0.99) for forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Similar adverse effects of maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) were also observed on bronchitis (RR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.67–0.81) and asthma (RR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.77–0.93). We found significant decreasing trends in categorized FEV1 (p for trend = 0.02) and categories of MMEF (p for trend = 0.01) for incident bronchitis. Significant modification effects of traffic-related air pollution were noted for FEV1 and MMEF on bronchitis and also for MMEF on asthma. Conclusions Children with high pulmonary function would have lower risks on the development of bronchitis and asthma. The protective effect of high pulmonary function would be modified by traffic-related air pollution exposure.
Collapse
|
21
|
Gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions of childhood asthma: a multifactor dimension reduction approach. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30694. [PMID: 22355322 PMCID: PMC3280263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2011] [Accepted: 12/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The importance of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions on asthma is well documented in literature, but a systematic analysis on the interaction between various genetic and environmental factors is still lacking. Methodology/Principal Findings We conducted a population-based, case-control study comprised of seventh-grade children from 14 Taiwanese communities. A total of 235 asthmatic cases and 1,310 non-asthmatic controls were selected for DNA collection and genotyping. We examined the gene-gene and gene-environment interactions between 17 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in antioxidative, inflammatory and obesity-related genes, and childhood asthma. Environmental exposures and disease status were obtained from parental questionnaires. The model-free and non-parametrical multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method was used for the analysis. A three-way gene-gene interaction was elucidated between the gene coding glutathione S-transferase P (GSTP1), the gene coding interleukin-4 receptor alpha chain (IL4Ra) and the gene coding insulin induced gene 2 (INSIG2) on the risk of lifetime asthma. The testing-balanced accuracy on asthma was 57.83% with a cross-validation consistency of 10 out of 10. The interaction of preterm birth and indoor dampness had the highest training-balanced accuracy at 59.09%. Indoor dampness also interacted with many genes, including IL13, beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6). We also used likelihood ratio tests for interaction and chi-square tests to validate our results and all tests showed statistical significance. Conclusions/Significance The results of this study suggest that GSTP1, INSIG2 and IL4Ra may influence the lifetime asthma susceptibility through gene-gene interactions in schoolchildren. Home dampness combined with each one of the genes STAT6, IL13 and ADRB2 could raise the asthma risk.
Collapse
|