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HERO ID
3214568
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Tumour necrosis factor α polymorphism (TNF-308α G/A) in association with asthma related phenotypes and air pollutants among children in KwaZulu-Natal
Author(s)
Makamure, MT; Reddy, P; Chuturgoon, A; Naidoo, RN; Mentz, G; Batterman, S; Robins, TG
Year
2016
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy & Immunology
ISSN:
0125-877X
Volume
34
Issue
3
Page Numbers
217-222
Language
English
PMID
27001655
DOI
10.12932/AP0677
Web of Science Id
WOS:000389288100007
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The study of gene-environment interactions enables us to further understand the pathogenesis of asthma and inflammation. The TNF-α gene has been associated with airway pathology in asthma but there is limited information in relation to pollutant exposure and the TNF-α 308G/A polymorphism.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the risk conferred by the TNF-α 308(G/A) polymorphism on respiratory outcome and to evaluate whether the association between exposure to ambient air pollutants such as SO2, NO2, NO, and PM10 and variation in lung function measures is modified by genotype.
METHODS:
The sample comprised 129 African children (between 9-11 years old). A questionnaire based on guidelines from the British Medical Research Council and the American Thoracic Society was administered to all caregivers to evaluate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Atopy was evaluated by skin prick testing. Bihourly measures of lung function (spirometry) were collected at school five days per week over three week periods in each of four seasons (2004-2005) using digital hand-held devices. During each of the four intensive 3-week phases, gaseous air pollutant concentrations were monitored continuously. Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-PFLP) analysis was used to detect the TNF-α 308 genotype and plasma TNF-α levels were measured using the human TNF-α Max Standard™ Enzyme-linked immuno-absorbent assay (ELISA) kit.
RESULTS:
The TNF-α variant A allele was common among this sample of African children (40% with an allelic frequency of 0.24). There was no significant association with the TNF-α G/A polymorphism and any respiratory linked phenotype, nor cytokine levels. However, when exposure to pollutants were analyzed with genotypic and phenotypic data, we found relatively modest interaction effects for the TNF-α 308 genotype. GEE models showed that children with the TNF-α 308 A allele had increased deterioration of lung function post pollution exposure to SO2 [β=2.62, CI:0.51-4.71, p=0.02 and pint=0.03] and NO [β=3.28, CI:0.68-5.89, p=0.01, pint=0.03].
CONCLUSION:
The TNF-α 308 (G/A) polymorphism may be associated with increased pollutant-associated effects on FEV1 intraday variability for both SO2 and NO. The A allele may increase susceptibility to the adverse effects of air pollutants.
Tags
NAAQS
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ISA-PM (2019)
•
ISA-SOx
Considered
Cited Second ERD Dec2016
Cited in Final ISA Dec2017
Chapter 5 – Health
•
LitSearch-NOx (2024)
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