Epidemiologia molecular de la función pulmonar: un abordaje integral

Duration

2010-2012

Coordinator

Stefano Guerra

Funded by

Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (FIS)

It has been long known that levels of lung function are a strong predictor of functional impairment, reduced quality of life, overall mortality.These associations are mostly related to the deleterious health effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Although most patients develop COPD in their middle to late adult life, the acceleration of decline of lung function that will lead to the development of the disease usually starts in young adulthood. Thus, the identification of systemic biomarkers of decline of lung function in young adult life could provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of early susceptibility to COPD and have critical implications for prevention. In this application, we propose to use the Spanish branch of the prospective population-based ECRHS study (N = 1.595) that provides detailed respiratory phenotypic information and an extensive collection of serum samples and DNA. In serum, we will test with the Luminex-based MAP technology and with ELISA a panel of 14 biomarkers variably involved in inflammation (IL- 1beta, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, CRP), innate immunity (sCD14), proteolysis (alpha1 antitrypsin,TIMP1, MMP3), oxidative stress (myeloperoxidase), auto-immune responses (anti-elastin antibodies) and other potential pathways (YKL-40, CC-16, SP-D). A large group of candidate genes related to the above biomarkers will be also genotyped. Ultimately, levels of biomarkers and genetic variants will be prospectively tested against levels and decline of lung function.