Gene Linked to Inherited Blood Biomarker Associated with Asthma Risk, Study by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

NIH -- Risk for developing asthma is linked to variants in a gene called CHI3L1, which can be measured by checking levels of an inherited blood protein regulated by that gene, according to new research sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. Researchers identified gene variants which are associated with increased susceptibility to asthma and reduced lung function in three study populations. The variants regulate the level of a blood protein called YKL-40, which, through previous NHLBI-funded research, has been shown to be elevated in people with asthma and correlate with asthma severity. This new research shows that the YLKL-40 protein is inherited, and can be measured from birth. The research is published online on April 9, 2008, by the New England Journal of Medicine and will appear in print on April 17, 2008.

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