title: Emerging genetics of COPD.
abstract: Since the discovery of alpha-1 antitrypsin in the early 1960s, several new genes have been suggested to play a role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. Yet, in spite of those advances, much about the genetic basis of COPD still remains to be discovered. Unbiased approaches, such as genome-wide association (GWA) studies, are critical to identify genes and pathways and to verify suggested genetic variants. Indeed, most of our current understanding about COPD candidate genes originates from GWA studies. Experiments in form of cross-study replications and advanced meta-analyses have propelled the field towards unravelling details about COPD's pathogenesis. Here, we review the discovery of genetic variants in association with COPD phenotypes by discussing the available approaches and current findings. Limitations of current studies are considered and future directions provided.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA. anb128@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Annerose
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berndt
authors.forename: Adriana S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Leme
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006801:Humans; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000235:genetics*