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COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
FRIDAY, March 20 (HealthDay News) -- Gene variants that may be associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been identified by Boston University School of Medicine researchers.
They studied 7,691 participants in the Framingham Heart Study in an attempt to identify a relationship between common genetic variants and measures of lung function. This led them to gene variants on chromosome 4 that could be a potential risk factor for the disease, known as COPD.
"Several interesting genes are present in the region that we identified, including a gene (HHIP) interacting with a biological pathway involved in lung development, but it is not yet clear which gene in the region explains the association," lead author Jemma Wilk, an assistant professor of neurology, said in a university news release.
"Our results identified a region of chromosome 4 that warrants further study to understand the genetic effects influencing lung function," Wilk said.
The study appears March 20 in PLoS Genetics.
COPD is a lung disease that's the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States and one of the leading disease-related causes of disability in adults. Cigarette smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD, but just 20 percent of smokers develop the condition. This fact, along with family studies of lung function and COPD, suggest that genetic factors affect a person's susceptibility to cigarette smoke, according to background information from the researchers.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about COPD.
-- Robert Preidt
SOURCE: Boston University School of Medicine, news release, March 19, 2009
I know we have heard this before but its so exciting and offers so many posibilitys for great hope I had to post it for anyone who is new or did not see it earlyer.
I love you all dearly,
Have a wonderful day!
Love Holly
They studied 7,691 participants in the Framingham Heart Study in an attempt to identify a relationship between common genetic variants and measures of lung function. This led them to gene variants on chromosome 4 that could be a potential risk factor for the disease, known as COPD.
"Several interesting genes are present in the region that we identified, including a gene (HHIP) interacting with a biological pathway involved in lung development, but it is not yet clear which gene in the region explains the association," lead author Jemma Wilk, an assistant professor of neurology, said in a university news release.
"Our results identified a region of chromosome 4 that warrants further study to understand the genetic effects influencing lung function," Wilk said.
The study appears March 20 in PLoS Genetics.
COPD is a lung disease that's the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States and one of the leading disease-related causes of disability in adults. Cigarette smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD, but just 20 percent of smokers develop the condition. This fact, along with family studies of lung function and COPD, suggest that genetic factors affect a person's susceptibility to cigarette smoke, according to background information from the researchers.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about COPD.
-- Robert Preidt
SOURCE: Boston University School of Medicine, news release, March 19, 2009
I know we have heard this before but its so exciting and offers so many posibilitys for great hope I had to post it for anyone who is new or did not see it earlyer.
I love you all dearly,
Have a wonderful day!
Love Holly
Always wondered though as in the previous 2 generations, all but two of the males died of COPD,I have it and my son was recently told he has pre emphysema.
Hopefully,this research will lead to better treatment plans but even if it doesn't, my grandkids will be aware and take more precautions against it.
Love your name!
Yes i was tested for Alpha 1 and it was negative, but I have grandmother who had COPD, Father, and not me.
I really think the more they study the genetics, and with stem cell research we may have a cure some day.
I hope your feeling well today and breathing easy,
Love to you and everyone,
Holly
What with advancement in genetics and stem cell research the future looks promising for future generations who are susceptible to COPD.