title: Genetic variants in the angiopoietin-2 gene are associated with increased risk of ARDS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is a potent regulator of vascular permeability and inflammation in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Genetic variants in the Ang-2 gene may lead to altered activities of Ang-2 (or ANGPT2) gene. The aim of this study was to assess if genetic variants of Ang-2 are associated with the risk of ARDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unmatched, case-control study nested within a prospectively enrolled cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intensive care units (ICU) of an academic medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  About 1,529 critically ill patients with risk factors for ARDS consecutively admitted to the ICUs from 1999 to 2006. Cases were 449 patients who developed ARDS and controls were 1,080 subjects who did not developed ARDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine tagging SNPs (tSNPs) spanning the entire Ang-2 gene were genotyped in all patients. The results were analyzed using logistic regression models, adjusting for covariates. The variant T allele of one tSNP (rs2515475) was significantly associated with increased risk of ARDS (OR(adjusted) = 1.28; P = 0.042). This association was stronger in subjects with extrapulmonary injuries (OR(adjusted) = 1.79; P = 0.004). Haplotype TT in block 2 containing the T allele of the rs2515475 was also significantly associated with higher risk of ARDS (OR(adjusted) = 1.42; P = 0.009), particularly in subjects with extrapulmonary injuries (OR(adjusted) = 1.90; P = 0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Common genetic variation in the Ang-2 gene may be associated with increased risk of ARDS, especially among patients with extrapulmonary injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Rihong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.forename: Chau-Chyun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Sheu
authors.forename: Diana C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: Michelle N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tejera
authors.forename: B Taylor
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Christiani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D042702:Angiopoietin-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D042702:Angiopoietin-2