Effect of variation in CHI3L1 on serum YKL-40 level, risk of asthma, and lung function.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The chitinase-like protein YKL-40 is involved in inflammation and tissue remodeling. We recently showed that serum YKL-40 levels were elevated in patients with asthma and were correlated with severity, thickening of the subepithelial basement membrane, and pulmonary function. We hypothesized that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect YKL-40 levels also influence asthma status and lung function.

Methods

We carried out a genomewide association study of serum YKL-40 levels in a founder population of European descent, the Hutterites, and then tested for an association between an implicated SNP and asthma and lung function. One associated variant was genotyped in a birth cohort at high risk for asthma, in which YKL-40 levels were measured from birth throug

SUBMITTER: Ober C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2629486 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature