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Cytokine genotype and phenotype effects on lung function decline in firefighters
Arun B Josyula1, Margaret Kurzius-Spencer, Sally R Littau
1Division of Community, Environment and Policy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724-5210, USA.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|March 14, 2007
Summary
Certain cytokine genotypes are linked to faster lung function decline in firefighters. However, higher interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) in sputum may offer protection against lung function loss.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Firefighters face occupational exposures that can impact lung function.
- Genetic variations in cytokines may influence susceptibility to lung damage.
- Cytokine levels in sputum can reflect airway inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cytokine gene polymorphisms and sputum cytokine concentrations with longitudinal lung function decline in firefighters.
- To determine if specific genotypes or cytokine levels predict the rate of FEV1 decline.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of functional polymorphisms in IL-1beta, IL-1RA, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha genes in 67 firefighters.
- Measurement of cytokine concentrations in sputum samples using ELISA.
- Longitudinal assessment of lung function through at least four pulmonary function tests per participant.
Main Results:
- Firefighters with TT genotypes at IL-10 (-819) and CT or TT genotypes at IL-1RA (2018) showed a greater annual rate of FEV1 decline.
- These specific genotypes were not correlated with sputum cytokine concentrations.
- Elevated IL-1RA levels in sputum and increased sputum macrophage counts were associated with a slower rate of FEV1 decline.
Conclusions:
- Cytokine genotypes are associated with the rate of lung function decline in firefighters.
- Sputum cytokine concentrations did not correlate with the studied genotypes.
- Increased sputum IL-1RA may have a protective effect on lung function in this cohort.
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