Fungal exposure modulates the effect of polymorphisms of chitinases on emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Chitinases are enzymes that cleave chitin, which is present in fungal cells. Two types of human chitinases, chitotriosidase and acidic mammalian chitinase, and the chitinase-like protein, YKL-40, seem to play an important role in asthma. We hypothesized that exposure to environmental fungi may modulate the effect of chitinases in individuals with asthma.

Objectives

To explore whether interactions between high fungal exposure and common genetic variants in the two chitinases in humans, CHIT1 and CHIA, and the chitinase 3-like 1 gene, CHI3L1, are associated with severe asthma exacerbations and other asthma-related outcomes.

Methods

Forty-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CHIT1, CHIA, and CHI3L1 and one CHIT1 duplication were genotyped in 395 subj

SUBMITTER: Wu AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2970860 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature