title: The 15q24/25 susceptibility variant for lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with emphysema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Genome-wide association studies have identified genetic variants in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) on chromosome 15q24/25 as a risk for nicotine dependence, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Assessment of bronchial obstruction by spirometry, typically used for diagnosing COPD, fails, however, to detect emphysema.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the association of the 15q24/25 locus with emphysema.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rs1051730 variant on 15q24/25 was genotyped in two independent white cohorts of 661 and 456 heavy smokers. Participants underwent pulmonary function tests and computed tomography (CT) of the chest, and took questionnaires assessing smoking behavior and health status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rs1051730 A-allele correlated with reduced FEV(1) and with increased susceptibility for bronchial obstruction with a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-1.61; P = 0.0026). In both studies a correlation between the rs1051730 A-allele and lung diffusing capacity (Dl(CO)) and diffusing capacity per unit alveolar volume (Kco) was observed. Consistently, the rs1051730 A-allele conferred increased risk for emphysema as assessed by CT (P = 0.0097 and P = 0.019), with a pooled OR of 1.39 (CI = 1.15-1.68; P = 0.00051). Visual emphysema scores and scores based on densities quantified on CT were more pronounced in A-allele carriers, indicating that rs1051730 correlates with the severity of emphysema.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 15q24/25 locus in nAChR is associated with the presence and severity of emphysema. This association was independent of pack-years smoking, suggesting that nAChR is causally involved in alveolar destruction as a potentially shared pathogenic mechanism in lung cancer and COPD.
authors.affiliation: Vesalius Research Center, K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. diether.lambrechts@vib-kuleuven.be
authors.forename: Diether
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lambrechts
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Buysschaert
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zanen
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coolen
authors.forename: Natacha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lays
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cuppens
authors.forename: Harry J M
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Groen
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dewever
authors.forename: Rob J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van Klaveren
authors.forename: Johny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verschakelen
authors.forename: Cisca
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wijmenga
authors.forename: Dirkje S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Postma
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Decramer
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Janssens
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000235:genetics*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000235:genetics; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic