Analysis of TGF-beta(1) gene polymorphisms in Hong Kong Chinese patients with asthma.
BACKGROUND
The C-509T polymorphism of TGF-beta(1) gene has been associated with asthma and atopy in white populations.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the association between asthma and previously identified polymorphisms at C-509T and T869C of the TGF-beta(1) gene among 250 Chinese patients with asthma and 308 healthy controls in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Genotyping was performed on peripheral blood genomic DNA by using PCR-RFLP.


RESULTS
There were no differences in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles between patients and controls. The C-509T and T869C polymorphisms were in tight linkage disequilibrium (P < .01). Among atopic subjects, significant differences were found in genotype and allele frequencies for T869C polymorphism between patients and controls (P = .014 and P = .019, respectively), and individuals bearing the CC genotype were associated with increased risk for the development of asthma (odds ratio, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.17-5.66; P = .018) after adjusting for age, sex, and smoking status. Individuals with asthma bearing the CT genotype of the C-509T polymorphism had significantly increased risk for severe airflow obstruction compared with individuals who had mild obstruction (odds ratio, 4.00; 95% CI, 1.06-15.08; P = .035).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that the polymorphisms at C-509T and T869C of the TGF-beta(1) gene are associated with asthma susceptibility in atopic subjects of the Hong Kong Chinese population, and the C-509T polymorphism may play a role in the pathogenesis of airflow obstruction.
Mak
Judith C W
JC
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. judithmak@hkucc.hku.hk
Leung
Helen C M
HC
Ho
Siu P
SP
Law
Barbara K W
BK
Ho
Alice S S
AS
Lam
Wah K
WK
Ip
Mary S M
MS
Chan-Yeung
Moira M W
MM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1