[Association of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter gene polymorphism with asthma and comorbid depression].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the molecular genetic mechanism of complicating depression in asthma by detecting two gene polymorphisms of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5-HTTLPR/Stin2) gene.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-six adults with asthma were collected, and divided into group of asthma with depression (HAMD score > or = 8) and group of asthma without depression or single asthma (HAMD score <8) according to the score of Hamilton depression scale (HAMD). A total of 508 adults with depression alone and 433 healthy individuals were enrolled as controls. The target gene fragments containing the polymorphic regions of 5-HTTLPR and Stin2 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplified fragments were then analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and motored molecular imaging system.


RESULTS
The frequencies of genotype and allele distribution of the Stin2 polymorphism showed that males with genotype Stin2.12/Stin2.10 and allele Stin2.10 had higher risk for asthma than the others (Stin2.12/Stin2.10: OR = 2.291, 95% CI: 1.195 and 4.390; Stin2.10: OR = 1.942, 95% CI: 1.069-3.527). No significant difference was found in the frequencies of genotype and allele distribution of the 5-HTTLPR locus between the asthma and healthy control groups and the two stratified by gender.


CONCLUSIONS
The Stin2 polymorphism may play a role in the onset of male asthma. There might be association between the genetic pathogenesis of asthma and depression.
Wang
Lan
L
Department of Respiratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China.
Mo
Zu-cong
ZC
Wang
Yan
Y
Ji
Yu-lin
YL
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins