T-bet polymorphisms are associated with asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

T-bet (TBX21 or T-box 21) is a critical regulator of T-helper 1 lineage commitment and IFN-gamma production. Knockout mice lacking T-bet develop airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine, peribronchial eosinophilic and lymphocytic inflammation, and increased type III collagen deposition below the bronchial epithelium basement membrane, reminiscent of both acute and chronic asthma histopathology. Little is known regarding the role of genetic variation surrounding T-bet in the development of human AHR.

Objectives

To assess the relationship between T-bet polymorphisms and asthma-related phenotypes using family-based association.

Methods

Single nucleotide polymorphism discovery was performed by resequencing the T-bet genomic locus in 30 individuals (inclu

SUBMITTER: Raby BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2662983 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature