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

Castro Giner, Francesc; Künzli, Nino; Jacquemin Leonard, Bénédicte; Forsberg, Bertil; Cid Ibeas, Rafael de; Sunyer Deu, Jordi; Jarvis, Deborah; Briggs, David; Vienneau, Danielle; Norbäck, Dan; Gonzalez, Juan Ramon; Guerra, Stefano; Janson, Christer; Antó i Boqué, Josep Maria; Wjst, Matthias; Heinrich, Joachim; Estivill, Xavier, 1955-; Kogevinas, Manolis

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.0900589

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

Citation

Castro-Giner F, Künzli N, Jacquemin B, Forsberg B, de Cid R, Sunyer J et al. Traffic-related air pollution, oxidative stress genes, and asthma (ECHRS). Environ Health Perspect. 2009 Dec;117(12):1919-24. DOI: 10.1289/ehp.0900589

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.