Epigenomic study of the lower airway reveals COPD-associated methylation patterns and potential microbiota links.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Despite the identification of multiple susceptibility loci by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), considerable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) heritability remains unexplained.

Aim

To identify interaction networks of airway epithelial cell DNA methylation in COPD and further explore potential correlations with airway bacterial composition, as potentially collective regulators of biological pathways influencing COPD severity.

Methods

Using DNA isolated from bronchial airway brushings of 67 ever-smokers (>20 pack-years) from the SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcomes Measures in COPD Study (SPIROMICS), we assessed proportion of DNA methylation (β) by epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) and examined associations of differentially methy

SUBMITTER: Cao S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12716595 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature