Stability of genetic influences on pulmonary function in a longitudinal study of octogenarian twins.
Using data from the first four waves of the OCTO-Twin study (twins 80 + years), the present study investigated the stability and change of genetic and environmental contributions to pulmonary function. Using a genetic simplex model, variance in peak expiratory flow (PEF) at each wave was decomposed into additive genetic and nonshared (specific) environmental factors. Additionally, this analysis distinguished the source of these influences, either from previous waves (transmissions) or from novel influences at each wave (innovations). At each time point (except wave 1), the genetic variance was due to genetic transmissions from prior time points. Conversely, the specific environmental variance in PEF at each time point was mainly due to environmental innovations. These results imply that genetic factors contribute to the stability of pulmonary function over time whereas environmental factors contribute to its change.
Vasilopoulos
Terrie
T
Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park., Pennsylvania 16802, USA. tav137@psu.ed
Mack
Holly A
HA
McClearn
Gerald E
GE
Berg
Stig
S
Johansson
Boo
B
Vogler
George P
GP
D000367:Age Factors; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic