GENETIC-MARKERS IN CHRONIC AIR-FLOW LIMITATION - A GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY

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Abstract
The distribution of various genetic markers was compared in 2 groups of subjects: never smokers with low FEV1 [forced expiratory volume in 1 s] values (NS-L) and heavy smokers with high FEV1 values (HS-H), for whom the difference in FEV1 values could not be explained by any other known environmental factor. The subjects were men and women 25-40 yr of age who were selected from among 278 never and 777 heavy smokers examined in 1975 in the general population of Marseilles and Toulouse, France; 46 in the NS-L and 43 in the HS-H groups were examined in 1980. .alpha.1-Antitrypsin, IgA, IgG, IgM and IgE, and haptoglobin [Hp] studies gave results not different from those expected on the smoking habits data only. The percentage of subjects with low IgD was slightly lower in the HS-H group than in the NS-L group, but the difference was not significant. Genetic systems considered were ABO, Rh, ABH and Lewis secretor status, protease inhibitor (Pi), Hp, vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) transferrin (Tf), Ig (Gm and Km), and HLA-A and HLA-B polymorphisms. Results showed a sigificantly greater increased in ABH nonsecretors belonging to blood group O in NS-L than in HS-H subjects (odds-ratio = 15.6) and a significant decrease in Hp1S carriers among non-O blood group subjects in the NS-L group (odds-ratio = 0.2). A significant increase of the HLA-B7 antigen frequency was observed in the NS-L group compared with that in the HS-H group (odds-ratios, 0.2 and 3.8, respectively). No difference was observed in the Pi system (no subject was PiZ or PiMZ) Gm, Km, Tf and DBP. Because very few studies allow valid comparisons and results were obtained on a small sample, the conclusions must be considered only as hypotheses about possible genetic factors involved in chronic air-flow limitation.

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