title: Analysis of TGF-beta(1) gene polymorphisms in Hong Kong Chinese patients with asthma.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. judithmak@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: Judith C W
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Helen C M
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Siu P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Barbara K W
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Alice S S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Wah K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Mary S M
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.forename: Moira M W
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chan-Yeung
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1