The genetics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have shown that COPD aggregates in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition to airflow obstruction. Many candidate genes have been assessed, but the data are often conflicting. We review the genetic factors that predispose smokers to COPD and highlight the future role of genomic scans in identifying novel susceptibility genes.
Lomas
D A
DA
Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. dal16@cam.ac.uk
Silverman
E K
EK
D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004777:Environment; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects