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GENBAMSE - Air
pollution and allergic disease - Importance of gene-environment
interaction.
The proposed study focuses on
specific interactions between air pollution and genetic factors, which may
determine the susceptibility to develop allergic diseases in children. New
information about mechanisms accounting for respiratory effects of air
pollution will be provided, as well as betteT characterisation children at
risk of developing allergic diseases. Many epiderniological studies have
described the adverse effects of air pollution on various aspects of
respiratory health in children. Children with asthma are considered to be
particularly susceptible to air pollution. However, there is conflicting
evidence if pollutants really act as causative agents in disease
development or merelyas trigger factors for asthma exacerbations.
The study
hypothesis is that genetic variants (polymorphism) in genes controllingthe
inflammatory response and antioxidative systems deterrnine whether
long-term exposure to various air pollutants, such as [me particles and NO
promotes the development of allergic diseases in children. The objective
of the study is to identify such gene-environment interactions and to
estimate the attributable risk of present air pollution levels for
development of aller diseases, particularly asthma.
The study is based
on information from the BAMSE cohort with 4,089 children, who have been
followed from birth to the age of four. Longitudinal information on
individual exposure to air pollution (NO2 and
PM2.5) is already available
as well as data on symptoms of allergic diseases. Prospective information
on a number of environmental risk factors for allergic diseases is also
available. Genetic analyses will be performed in around 1,000 samples (asthma
cases and controis) and focused on genes that may be involved in
interactions with air pollutants. Presence of gene-environment
interactions will be tested in a case-control approach, using logistic
regression models and computer programmes specifically developed for
haplotype association searching. Adjustrnents for influences from other
environmental factors will also be performed. The results will be
presented at national and international meetings in the field of allergy
and environmental medicine. Scientific rep orts will also be prepared and
subrnitted to international journals. Results that are of articular
national interest will be resented at fess conferences as well as to local
and central authorities. |
