TY - JOUR T1 - Association of COPD candidate genes with computed tomography emphysema and airway phenotypes in severe COPD JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J SP - 39 LP - 43 DO - 10.1183/09031936.00173009 VL - 37 IS - 1 AU - W.J. Kim AU - E. Hoffman AU - J. Reilly AU - C. Hersh AU - D. DeMeo AU - G. Washko AU - E.K. Silverman Y1 - 2011/01/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/37/1/39.abstract N2 - The principal determining factors influencing the development of the airway disease and emphysema components of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have not been clearly defined. Genetic variability in COPD patients might influence the varying degrees of involvement of airway disease and emphysema. Therefore, we investigated the genetic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in COPD candidate genes for association with emphysema severity and airway wall thickness phenotypes. Polymorphisms in six candidate genes were analysed in 379 subjects of the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) Genetics Ancillary Study with quantitative chest computed tomography (CT) data. Genetic association with per cent of lung area below -950 HU (LAA950), airway wall thickness, and derived square root wall area (SRWA) of 10-mm internal perimeter airways were investigated. Three SNPs in EPHX1, five SNPs in SERPINE2 and one SNP in GSTP1 were significantly associated with LAA950. Five SNPs in TGFB1, two SNPs in EPHX1, one SNP in SERPINE2 and two SNPs in ADRB2 were associated with airway wall phenotypes in NETT. In conclusion, several COPD candidate genes showed evidence for association with airway wall thickness and emphysema severity using CT in a severe COPD population. Further investigation will be required to replicate these genetic associations for emphysema and airway wall phenotypes. ER -