EQTL of bronchial epithelial cells and bronchial alveolar lavage deciphers GWAS-identified asthma genes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified various genes associated with asthma, yet, causal genes or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) remain elusive. We sought to dissect functional genes/SNPs for asthma by combining expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and GWASs.

Methods

Cis-eQTL analyses of 34 asthma genes were performed in cells from human bronchial epithelial biopsy (BEC, n = 107) and from bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL, n = 94).

Results

For TSLP-WDR36 region, rs3806932 (G allele protective against eosinophilic esophagitis) and rs2416257 (A allele associated with lower eosinophil counts and protective against asthma) were correlated with decreased expression of TSLP in BAL (P = 7.9 × 10(-11) and 5.4 × 10(-4) , respectively) and

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4583797 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature