A disintegrin and metalloprotease 33 polymorphisms and lung function decline in the general population.
BACKGROUND
A disintegrin and metalloprotease 33 (ADAM33) has been identified as a susceptibility gene for asthma and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this gene have been associated with excessive decline of lung function in individuals with asthma.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether SNPs in ADAM33 are associated with accelerated lung function loss in the general population and with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


METHODS
DNA was collected from subjects of the Vlagtwedde-Vlaardingen cohort participating in the last survey in 1989-1990 after a follow-up of 25 years. Information was collected every 3 years, including lung function measurements. We defined COPD as GOLD stage 2 or higher at the last survey. A total of 1,390 subjects from the cohort was genotyped for the following SNPs in ADAM33: F+1, Q-1, S_1, S_2, T_1, T_2, V_4, and ST+5. Differences in prevalence of SNPs were analyzed with chi(2) tests. Linear mixed effects models were used to analyze FEV(1) decline according to genotype.


RESULTS
In the whole population, mean adjusted decline was 18.7 and 12.7 ml/year in females and males, respectively. Individuals homozygous for minor alleles of SNPs S_2 and Q-1 and heterozygous for SNP S_1 had a significantly accelerated decline in FEV(1) of, respectively, 4.9, 9.6, and 3.6 ml/year compared with wild type. We found a significantly higher prevalence of SNPs F+1, S_1, S_2, and T_2 in subjects with COPD.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that SNPs in ADAM33 are associated with accelerated lung function decline in the general population. These SNPs are also risk factors for COPD.
van Diemen
Cleo C
CC
Department of Epidemiology and Bioinformatics, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Postma
Dirkje S
DS
Vonk
Judith M
JM
Bruinenberg
Marcel
M
Schouten
Jan P
JP
Boezen
H Marike
HM
D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D051722:ADAM Proteins; C450441:ADAM33 protein, human; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases