CFTR gene mutations and asthma in the Norwegian Environment and Childhood Asthma study.
BACKGROUND
Several candidate genes have been implicated in the etiology of asthma, including the gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Mutations in the CFTR gene result in derangements of mucociliary clearance. Homozygotes for CFTR mutations develop cystic fibrosis (CF), a disorder characterized mainly by lung and pancreas disease.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether there was an increased frequency of CFTR mutations in asthma patients.


METHODS
Seven hundred and three subjects aged 10-11 years from the environment and childhood asthma (ECA) study were included in the present study. Possible associations between asthma, reduced lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), and increased or decreased nitrogen oxide (NO) levels (based on structural parental interview, spirometry, PD20 methacholine challenge test and exhaled NO measurements), and the five most common CFTR mutations in Norway (DeltaF508, R117H, R117C, 4005+2T-->C, 394delTT), the modulating polymorphisms IVS8(TG)mTn and the IVS8-5T were investigated.


RESULTS
No association were found between asthma, reduced lung function, BHR or exhaled NO levels and CF heterozygosity. However, the IVS8(TG)11T7 haplotype was associated with normal lung function.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results do not support the hypothesis that CFTR mutations or polymorphisms play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma in children. However, the distribution of Tn(TG)m haplotypes differed between individuals with reduced lung function and individuals with normal lung function.
Munthe-Kaas
Monica Cheng
MC
Department of Paediatrics, Woman/Child Division, Ullevål University Hospital, NO-0407 Oslo, Norway. monicam@medisin.uio.no
Lødrup Carlsen
Karin C
KC
Carlsen
Kai-Håkon
KH
Skinningsrud
Beate
B
Håland
Geir
G
Devulapalli
Chandra Sekhar
CS
Pettersen
Morten
M
Eiklid
Kristin
K