Using a combination of genetic linkage, microarray gene expression and genetic association studies, a group of Brigham and Women’s Hospital/ Harvard Medical School researchers have identified a serine protease inhibitor clade E, member 2, or SERPINE2, “as a novel candidate susceptibility gene for COPD,” according to Sorachai Srisuma, who is presenting the research at the 35th Congress of the International Union of Physiological Sciences in San Diego, March 31 - April 5, 2005. The collaborative, multi-disciplinary team includes: Sorachai Srisuma, Dawn L. DeMeo, Brigham H. Mecham, Edwin K. Silverman, Scott T. Weiss, Kathleen J. Haley, John J. Reilly, Steven D. Shapiro, and Thomas J. Mariani. Mariani, head of the lab where Srisuma works, said the gene is “the most promising susceptibility candidate due to its biological relevance, its expression correlation with disease characteristics, and the allelic association in COPD families and replication in non-familial COPD patients.” *Paper presentation: “Expression of Serine Proteinase Inhibitor E2, a novel candidate COPD susceptibility gene, in the lung,” 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday April 5, Physiology 936.4/board #A490. On view 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Feature topic presentation: Srisuma also is participating in featured topic session #477, “Receptors and signaling pathways in lung injury and repair,” Sunday April 3 room 30A. It begins at 3:15 p.m. Srisuma’s presentation is scheduled for 4:15 p.m.
