Clara cell protein 16 (CC16) gene polymorphism influences the degree of airway responsiveness in asthmatic children.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Several studies have indicated linkage of chromosome 11q12-13 to asthma and associated traits. Among other candidate genes, the Clara cell protein 16 (CC16) gene maps to this region. CC16 is expressed in the bronchial epithelium and exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the CC16 gene (A38G) was previously associated with asthma.

OBJECTIVE:

We evaluated the role of the CC16 SNP in pediatric asthma and asthma severity in 2 German study populations.

METHODS:

The German Multicenter Allergy Study (MAS) cohort (n = 872, 94 asthmatic patients) and 112 allergic asthmatic children recruited in Freiburg, Germany, were included in the present study. Histamine provocations were performed at the age of 7 years in the MAS cohort to determine bronchial hyperreactivity; in the Freiburg study population a standardized exercise-induced decrease in FEV1 was evaluated. For genotyping, melting-curve analysis and restriction enzyme digestion were applied.

RESULTS:

No association of the CC16*38A allele with asthma could be observed in either study population. However, in asthmatic subjects (MAS cohort) PC(20)FEV(1) values were significantly lower in individuals homozygous or heterozygous for the CC16*38A allele compared with those in subjects with the CC16*38GG genotype (P <.05 and P <.03, respectively). Similarly, allergic asthmatic patients in the Freiburg cohort showed a significantly greater decrease in FEV1 after exercise when homozygous for the CC16*38A allele compared with that seen in asthmatic patients with the *38AG or *38GG genotype (P <.04 and P =.006, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

We conclude that the CC16*A38G SNP influences bronchial hyperreactivity and might be a genetic determinant of asthma severity in German children.

• Authors: Claudia Sengler, Andrea Heinzmann, Silvija-Pera Jerkic, Assia Haider, Christine Sommerfeld, Bodo Niggemann, Susanne Lau, Johannes Forster, Antje Schuster, Wolfgang Kamin, Carl Bauer, Ingrid Laing, Peter LeSouef, Ulrich Wahn, Klaus Deichmann, Renate Nickel
• Journal: The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology (J Allergy Clin Immunol) Vol. 111 Issue 3 Pg. 515-9 (Mar 2003) ISSN: 0091-6749 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12642831 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Proteins
• SCGB1A1 protein, human
• Uteroglobin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Alleles
• Asthma (physiopathology)
• Bronchi (physiopathology)
• Child
• Cohort Studies
• Exercise (physiology)
• Forced Expiratory Volume
• Genotype
• Heterozygote
• Homozygote
• Humans
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
• Proteins (genetics)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Uteroglobin