Genome-wide transcriptional profiling linked to social class in asthma.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the most robust social factors associated with disease morbidity, including more severe asthma in childhood. However, our understanding of the biological processes that explain this link is limited. This study tested whether the social environment could get "under the skin" to alter genomic activity in children with asthma.

Design and participants

Two group design of children with physician diagnosed asthma who came from low or high SES families.

Outcomes

Genome-wide transcriptional profiles from T lymphocytes of children with asthma.

Results

Children with asthma from a low SES background showed overexpression of genes regulating inflammatory processes, including those involved in chemokine activity, stress re

SUBMITTER: Chen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2717793 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature