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. 2009 Dec;117(12):1919-24.
doi: 10.1289/ehp.0900589. Epub 2009 Jul 23.

Traffic-related air pollution, oxidative stress genes, and asthma (ECHRS)

Francesc Castro-Giner  1 , Nino Künzli, Bénédicte Jacquemin, Bertil Forsberg, Rafael de Cid, Jordi Sunyer, Deborah Jarvis, David Briggs, Danielle Vienneau, Dan Norback, Juan R González, Stefano Guerra, Christer Janson, Josep-Maria Antó, Matthias Wjst, Joachim Heinrich, Xavier Estivill, Manolis Kogevinas
Affiliations

Traffic-related air pollution, oxidative stress genes, and asthma (ECHRS)

Francesc Castro-Giner et al. Environ Health Perspect. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Traffic-related air pollution is related with asthma, and this association may be modified by genetic factors.

Objectives: We investigated the role of genetic polymorphisms potentially modifying the association between home outdoor levels of modeled nitrogen dioxide and asthma.

Methods: Adults from 13 cities of the second European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS II) were included (n = 2,920), for whom both DNA and outdoor NO(2) estimates were available. Home addresses were geocoded and linked to modeled outdoor NO(2) estimates, as a marker of local traffic-related pollution. We examined asthma prevalence and evaluated polymorphisms in genes involved in oxidative stress pathways [gluthatione S-transferases M1 (GSTM1), T1 (GSTT1), and P1 (GSTP1) and NAD(P)H:quinine oxidoreductase (NQO1)], inflammatory response [tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA)], immunologic response [Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)], and airway reactivity [adrenergic receptor beta2 (ADRB2)].

Results: The association between modeled NO(2) and asthma prevalence was significant for carriers of the most common genotypes of NQO1 rs2917666 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-2.24], TNFA rs2844484 (OR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.30-3.27). For new-onset asthma, the effect of NO(2) was significant for the most common genotype of NQO1 rs2917666 (OR = 1.52; 95% CI, 1.09-2.16). A significant interaction was found between NQO1 rs2917666 and NO(2) for asthma prevalence (p = 0.02) and new-onset asthma (p = 0.04).

Conclusions: Genetic polymorphisms in the NQO1 gene are related to asthma susceptibility among persons exposed to local traffic-related air pollution. This points to the importance of antioxidant pathways in the protection against the effects of air pollution on asthma.

Keywords: air pollution; asthma; gene polymorphisms; genetics; nitrogen dioxide; oxidative stress; traffic pollution.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Spline graphics using GAM for the association between NO2 and current asthma, stratified by NQO1 rs2917666 genotypes. (A) C/C carriers. (B) G/C or G/G carriers. Dashed lines indicate 95% CI.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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