Genome-wide expression profiles identify potential targets for gene-environment interactions in asthma severity.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Gene-environment interaction studies using genome-wide association study data are often underpowered after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Differential gene expression in response to the exposure of interest can capture the most biologically relevant genes at the genome-wide level.

OBJECTIVE:

We used differential genome-wide expression profiles from the Epidemiology of Home Allergens and Asthma birth cohort in response to Der f 1 allergen (sensitized vs nonsensitized) to inform a gene-environment study of dust mite exposure and asthma severity.

METHODS:

Polymorphisms in differentially expressed genes were identified in genome-wide association study data from the Childhood Asthma Management Program, a clinical trial in childhood asthmatic patients. Home dust mite allergen levels (<10 or ≥10 μg/g dust) were assessed at baseline, and (≥1) severe asthma exacerbation (emergency department visit or hospitalization for asthma in the first trial year) served as the disease severity outcome. The Genetics of Asthma in Costa Rica Study and a Puerto Rico/Connecticut asthma cohort were used for replication.

RESULTS:

IL9, IL5, and proteoglycan 2 expression (PRG2) was upregulated in Der f 1-stimulated PBMCs from dust mite-sensitized patients (adjusted P < .04). IL9 polymorphisms (rs11741137, rs2069885, and rs1859430) showed evidence for interaction with dust mite in the Childhood Asthma Management Program (P = .02 to .03), with replication in the Genetics of Asthma in Costa Rica Study (P = .04). Subjects with the dominant genotype for these IL9 polymorphisms were more likely to report a severe asthma exacerbation if exposed to increased dust mite levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

Genome-wide differential gene expression in response to dust mite allergen identified IL9, a biologically plausible gene target that might interact with environmental dust mite to increase severe asthma exacerbations in children.

• Authors: Joanne E Sordillo, Roxanne Kelly, Supinda Bunyavanich, Michael McGeachie, Weiliang Qiu, Damien C Croteau-Chonka, Manuel Soto-Quiros, Lydiana Avila, Juan C Celedón, John M Brehm, Scott T Weiss, Diane R Gold, Augusto A Litonjua
• Journal: The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology (J Allergy Clin Immunol) Vol. 136 Issue 4 Pg. 885-92.e2 (Oct 2015) ISSN: 1097-6825 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25913104 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antigens, Dermatophagoides
• Arthropod Proteins
• Interleukin-5
• Interleukin-9
• Proteoglycans
• PRG2 protein, human
• Eosinophil Major Basic Protein
• Cysteine Endopeptidases
• Dermatophagoides farinae antigen f 1

Topics

• Animals
• Antigens, Dermatophagoides (immunology)
• Arthropod Proteins (immunology)
• Asthma (genetics, immunology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Cohort Studies
• Costa Rica
• Cysteine Endopeptidases (immunology)
• Dermatophagoides farinae (immunology)
• Disease Progression
• Emergency Medical Services
• Environmental Exposure (adverse effects)
• Eosinophil Major Basic Protein (genetics, metabolism)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Gene-Environment Interaction
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Genome-Wide Association Study
• Genotype
• Humans
• Interleukin-5 (genetics, metabolism)
• Interleukin-9 (genetics)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (physiology)
• Male
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
• Proteoglycans (genetics, metabolism)
• Puerto Rico
• Transcriptome
• United States
• Up-Regulation