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Published on: June 21, 2018
Genome-Wide Association Study of Polymorphisms Predisposing to Bronchiolitis
Anu Pasanen1, Minna K Karjalainen1, Louis Bont2
1PEDEGO Research Unit, Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, and Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
This study explored the genetic factors behind infant bronchiolitis, a common cause of hospitalization. While no definitive genetic links were found, suggestive signals point to potential genetic predispositions for this respiratory illness.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Bronchiolitis is a significant cause of infant hospitalization.
- Severe bronchiolitis is linked to later asthma development, suggesting shared genetic factors.
- The genetic basis of bronchiolitis remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genetic polymorphisms associated with infant bronchiolitis.
- To conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to uncover potential genetic markers.
- To validate initial findings in independent populations.
Main Methods:
- A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed on 217 Finnish-Swedish infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis and 778 controls, analyzing 5.3 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
- Promising SNPs were genotyped in a Dutch replication cohort (416 cases, 432 controls).
- Further investigation of candidate SNPs was conducted in an additional Finnish cohort (202 cases).
Main Results:
- No genome-wide significant associations were detected.
- Several suggestive association signals (p < 10^-5) emerged from the initial GWAS.
- Three SNPs showed nominal association (p < 0.05) in the replication cohort, with rs269094 identified as an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) for KCND3.
- An SNP (rs9591920) in a noncoding RNA locus showed strengthened association in the additional Finnish cases.
Conclusions:
- This study represents the first genome-wide investigation into the genetic underpinnings of bronchiolitis.
- Preliminary findings suggest potential genetic associations that warrant further investigation.
- Larger sample sizes are required for robust validation of these genetic findings.
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