PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - M. Molina-Molina
AU  - A. Xaubet
AU  - X. Li
AU  - A. Abdul-Hafez
AU  - K. Friderici
AU  - K. Jernigan
AU  - W. Fu
AU  - Q. Ding
AU  - J. Pereda
AU  - A. Serrano-Mollar
AU  - A. Casanova
AU  - E. Rodríguez-Becerra
AU  - F. Morell
AU  - J. Ancochea
AU  - C. Picado
AU  - B. D. Uhal
TI  - Angiotensinogen gene G-6A polymorphism influences idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis disease progression
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00015808
DP  - 2008 Oct 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 1004--1008
VI  - 32
IP  - 4
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/4/1004.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/4/1004.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2008 Oct 01; 32
AB  - Angiotensin II is a growth factor that plays a key role in the physiopathology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A nucleotide substitution of an adenine instead of a guanine (G-6A) in the proximal promoter region of angiotensinogen (AGT), the precursor of angiotensin II, has been associated with an increased gene transcription rate. In order to investigate whether the G-6A polymorphism of the AGT gene is associated with IPF development, severity and progression, the present study utilised a case–control study design and genotyped G-6A in 219 patients with IPF and 224 control subjects. The distribution of G-6A genotypes and alleles did not significantly differ between cases and controls. The G-6A polymorphism of the AGT gene was not associated with disease severity at diagnosis. The presence of the A allele was strongly associated with increased alveolar arterial oxygen tension difference during follow-up, after controlling for the confounding factors. Higher alveolar arterial oxygen tension changes over time were observed in patients with the AA genotype (0.37±0.7 mmHg (0.049±0.093 kPa) per month) compared to GA genotype (0.12±1 mmHg (0.016±0.133 kPa) per month) and GG genotype (0.2±0.6 mmHg (0.027±0.080 kPa) per month). G-6A polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene is associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progression but not with disease predisposition. This polymorphism could have a predictive significance in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.