Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood leukocytes identifies potential novel biomarkers of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in current and former smokers.
BACKGROUND
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease with associated systemic effects.


OBJECTIVE
To use gene expression microarrays in peripheral blood leukocytes of current and former cigarette smokers to identify differences associated with COPD.


METHODS
Random forest modelling and a split-sample case-control approach were used to identify candidate predictors.


RESULTS
We identified 1013 genes and one smoking exposure variable that differentiated current and former smokers with or without COPD. This predictor set was reduced to a nine-gene classifier (IL6R, CCR2, PPP2CB, RASSF2, WTAP, DNTTIP2, GDAP1, LIPE and RPL14).


CONCLUSIONS
These gene expression profiles represent potential biomarkers for COPD and may help increase mechanistic understanding of the disease.
Edmiston
Jeffery S
JS
Research, Development & Engineering, Altria Client Services, Richmond, VA 23219, USA. Jeffery.S.Edmiston@altria.com
Archer
Kellie J
KJ
Scian
Mariano J
MJ
Joyce
Andrew R
AR
Zedler
Barbara K
BK
Murrelle
E Lenn
EL
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers